The annual Nelson Mandela Challenge is one way of honouring the late father of the nation and the first democratic president of South Africa Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (Madiba’s) notion of Changing the Way Society Treats its Children and Youth.​

​In 2018, South Africa met Paraguay at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban and concluded in a one all draw. In keeping up with the tradition of bringing top sides, the Nelson Mandela Challenge match will this year feature, Mali (the Eagles) and South Africa (Bafana Bafana) will do the honours this year. South African Football Association (SAFA) and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (the Fund) are celebrating 25 years of partnership through the Nelson Mandela Challenge.
Bafana Bafana will go head to head with the Eagles in the 25th edition of the Nelson Mandela Challenge to be held at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Sunday, 13 October 2019 and kick-off at 15:00.
“From the first game that South Africa played against Zambia at the FNB Stadium in 1994, to the very last one against Paraguay at Moses Mabhida Stadium last year, the Nelson Mandela Challenge has been a 25-year journey that has seen the Fund and SAFA being fellow travellers to raise awareness for the cause of children, bring cheer to the football-loving community and celebrating Madiba’s legacy,” said Ms Sibongile Mkhabela, CEO of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund.
A nation that works, dreams, plays and fills sports fields with cheering fans and shining stars but never forgets to spare a thought for its children, is the one that Madiba established the Fund for. Every edition of the Nelson Mandela Challenge is a reminder that there is no better foundation for any nation than its children. We are deeply honoured that every stakeholder that never tires to make this tournament possible, subscribes to the joy of making children’s life a celebration.
This charitable event ties to the values Madiba lived for and the belief that: "Sport has the power to change the world, and the power to unite people in a way that little else does” – Nelson Mandela 
The Fund is thankful for the long standing relationship SAFA and support that contributed to Madiba’s dream to build a hospital for children dedicated to the wellbeing of all children regardless of background – the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital being a reality today.

Child safety and protection is a global challenge. Violence against women and girls takes many forms - physical, sexual, economic, and psychological which in fact all of these are violation of human dignity and human rights and have long-lasting consequences for both the victims and their communities.
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Gender based violence and Violence Against Women and Girls have proven to have significant negative impact on the social advancement of women and girl child even on their progress in school.  In response to the increasing violence against women and girls the Fund responded to a call, by Comic Relief, on the Sexual Violence in Schools in South Africa (SeVISSA) pilot programme in 2014.

The programme is implemented through a consortium model that consist of four provincial coalitions.  The coalitions are located in four provinces namely: Gauteng – Diepsloot; Eastern Cape – Peddie; Limpopo – Madodonga and Tshisaulu; and Western Cape - Worcester, Mamelsbury and Stellenbosch. 

Each coalition responded to different drivers of violence against women and girls. In responding to drivers of sexual violence in each province, coalitions implemented various models to pilot for five years.

On 26 September 2019 the Fund will host a SeVISSA Best Practice Market under the theme: Against All Odds, I RISE to showcase the different models used to combat the scourge of violence against women and girls.

Date:26th September 2019
Time:10:00 – 13:00
Venue: Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, 21st Eastwold Way, Saxonwold, Johannesburg
 

It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our belovedMpho Ingrid Maila.  She leaves behind the joy of her heart and her greatest blessing, her son Thuto, Her Mother Rose, brothers Tebogo & Thapelo and her little sister Naledi.

Mpho started her schooling years at Gorogang Primary School and moved on to Laban Motlhabi Comprehensive School where she completed her matric. As an enthusiastic student she participated in various leadership programmes and public speaking events. It was at an event hosted by Youth Connection where she gave a speech that lead her to being selected to be part of The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund youth board called Efeng Bacha.

After completing high school, she remained committed to community and youth development work by working as a ground-breaker for Love Life in 2010 whilst being active within Efeng Bacha. In 2007 Mpho took part in the Violence in Schools Seminar, in 2011 she participated in the Othandweni Children’s home book drive, the Reclaiming our Dignity through Reading Seminar and also in the 2011 Nelson Mandela Children’s Parliament. 

She was part of the 100 young people that give back to their communities and was ordained alumni during the Centenary celebration of the late Former President Nelson Mandela in 2018 by The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund at the 2018 Nelson Mandela Youth Summit. 
Her love for community development was deeply rooted as she joined an organisation called New Image Rover Crew as a child care-worker in 2014 until March of 2019. 
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As untimely as her passing was to us all, it is her existence in our lives that we are grateful of more. It is her humbleness and her fighting spirit we will remember the most. It is her infectious laugh and smile that will be embedded in our hearts forever. She was here and although she’s gone, it’s the memories that she shared with us, her family, relatives and friends that will be treasured forever. 

It has come to the attention of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (the Fund), that there is a false campaign soliciting donations on behalf of the Fund. The method of solicitation utilises various communication platforms such as phone calls, SMS and/or WhatsApp text messages. 
Please be aware that the syndicate associated with this scam will request money from unsuspecting citizens by inviting them to apply for cellphone contracts through PEP stores. In addition, there will be a follow up request through a text message to deposit money into a dedicated account that falsely links to the Fund in a form of a donation. 
The Fund has not partnered with PEP stores or any cellular network providers in a fundraising campaign. This method of engaging stakeholders and soliciting donations is false and not in line with the Fund's values. We ask the public to be vigilant and not to fall victim of this vicious scam. 
Yours Sincerely,
Mrs. Sibongile Mkhabela 
​CEO, Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund

BY DONNA M. OWENS

​Former President Barack Obama, Hollywood celebs, youth and advocates from around the world gathered in the nation’s capital recently to celebrate the life and continuing legacy of Nelson Mandela. 
Oscar-nominated actress Alfre Woodard was the host of a glittery gala on Saturday evening at the Smithsonian’s National Museum for African American History and Culture, which wrapped events commemorating the 100th anniversary of Mandela’s birth, and the 25th anniversary of South Africa’s first democratic elections following the end of apartheid. 
The festivities culminated a year-long U.S. campaign promoting the ongoing work of Mandela’s four legacy foundations: Nelson Mandela Foundation, Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital and Mandela Rhodes Foundation. 
In his welcoming remarks, museum founding director Lonnie G. Bunch, III told the multiracial crowd that “America and South Africa are connected by our shared histories of struggle and the force of our visionaries, who drew inspiration and strength from one another.”
That solidarity was evident when Obama, whose late father hailed from the African nation of Kenya, took the stage for a conversation with Graça Machel, the Mozambique-born activist/educator who was married to Mandela from 1998 until his death in 2013. Their dialogue was moderated by Lesley Williams, CEO of a social innovation project in Johannesburg and an African leader with the Obama Foundation, which aims to inspire, empower, and connect people to change their communities for the better in the U.S. and abroad.
As the trio discussed everything from leadership to equality for women, the 44th president of the United States weighed in on the current state of the world.
“There is always a struggle between hope and fear, between the world as it is and how we’d like it to be. And during times of tumult and disruption, whether it’s technological, economic, information, migration, the danger of us resorting to fear to organize ourselves, falling back on tribe, race, ethnicity, sectarian lines, that always becomes strong.”
“The good news,” Obama added, “is that fear is typically the province of the old, and hope is the province of the young. There are occasional exceptions, like [Mandela] who stayed young at heart throughout life, never succumbed to cynicism, and always believed in the possibility of human connection, mutual understanding, rational thought, all of which could contribute to a society that works for everyone.”
Mandela’s journey from a rural village to ANC freedom fighter, to decades in prison, and eventually the first Black president of South Africa, has inspired people around the world. “Madiba” (as he is sometimes called to denote a sign of respect) intended for his legacy organizations to be “independent but interlinked, each charged with giving expression to a specific aspect of human development,” said organizers. Each represents three distinct yet connected pillars of his goals: advancing democracy, human rights, justice, and social cohesion; promoting the safety of children and helping youth realize their human potential; and developing exceptional leadership capacity throughout Africa and beyond. 
“Our organizations represent distinct yet connected pillars of Madiba’s vision,” said Dr. Mandisa Maholwana from the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital. “Together, we can all support our shared goals of advancing equality, social justice, and the wellbeing of children.”
“The Mandela 100 USA initiative marks the first time all four of Madiba’s legacy organizations have come together around a campaign,” noted Shaun Johnson, Executive Director of the Mandela Rhodes Foundation. “We are unified in our purpose to jointly advance Mandela’s vision and create sustainable long-term impact.”
The museum gala capped off two days of forums, film screenings and related activities that kicked off last Friday. 
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce/U.S.-Africa Business Center and Mandela 100 USA hosted a discussion, “Live the Legacy: Mandela and Doing Business in South Africa” around Mandela’s vision of inclusive economic growth and investment opportunities in South Africa. Besides Machel, guests included former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright and leading business executives.
That same day, Marriott International hosted a luncheon at the historic Mayflower hotel in D.C. featuring music and performances that championed inclusion, equality, peace, and human rights around the globe. Former BET Chair/CEO Debra Lee delivered opening remarks, followed by a keynote address from Machel and a luncheon emceed by actress, Uzo Adubo.
Mandela 100 USA and the Urban Alliance later hosted a screening of the 1996 Oscar-nominated documentary `Mandela: Son of Africa, Father of a Nation,’ for local D.C. public high school students.
During the event at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, actor Atandwa Kani from the film Black Panthergreeted the students, who are part of the Urban Alliance’s paid internship, job skills training, and mentoring program for underserved youth. That was followed by an introduction of the documentary by its director, Jo Menell, which shows Mandela in his early years and follows his fight for justice, the atrocities of apartheid, and his rise as a South African statesman.
During the museum gala, Kani again shared his talents by delivering excerpts from Mandela’s letters to his family from prison, while Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman recited Maya Angelou’s poem, “Your Day is Done.” Rev. Canon Nontombi Naomi Tutu, the daughter of South Africa’s Archbishop Desmond Tutu, blessed the international dinner prepared by chef Katlego Mlambo, and lively music filled the air. There were performances by the Dave Matthews Band, as well as Sibongile Khumalo, Vusi Mahlasela, Morris Goldberg and Ojoyo.
The weekend was one of joy, remembrance, pride and purpose, said attendees.
“Madiba committed his life to realizing his dream of equality and fairness for all,” said Sello Hatang, CEO of the Nelson Mandela Foundation. “We look forward to connecting with the global community to reflect on the progress we’ve made toward achieving his vision and forging a positive path forward.”
Bongi Mkhabela, CEO of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, called the gathering of American and global Mandela admirers an “honor.” “Our centenary year celebration will help us continue to make his dreams for the future a reality.”

See original article here

It is with the greatest pride that the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (the Fund) and the Nelson
Mandela Children’s Hospital Trust (the Hospital Trust) announce and congratulate Chief
Executive Officer, Ms Sibongile Mkhabela, on her achievement of an honorary doctorate
conferred by the Nelson Mandela University (NMU).

Ms Mkhabela stands with four remarkable South Africans who were honoured by the university
during a ceremony held on 5 April 2019, namely, cleric and civil servant Reverend Frank
Chikane; businesswoman and president of the African Farmers Association of South Africa
(Afasa) Dr Vuyo Mahlati and specialist family physician and Independent Practitioners
Association (IPA) Foundation chairman Professor Morgan Chetty. A social activist among the 11 student leaders arrested in connection with the 1976 student uprisings, Ms Mkhabela was recognised for her life’s work and contribution to advancing social justice.

Ms Mkhabela has been among South Africa’s own champions, leading policy and practice
related to children and the advancement of their rights, serving the first democratically elected government as Director in the Office of then-Deputy President Mbeki. In this role, Ms Mkhabela was responsible for programming with specific reference to civil society-government partnerships as well as overseeing the implementation of The UN Children’s Charter. At the helm of Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (Fund) and Nelson Mandela Children’s
Hospital Trust (Trust), Mkhabela focuses her efforts on building independent and self-
sustaining African institutions, working cohesively to put the rights and their wellbeing of
children first.

NMU honoured Ms Mkhabela for her role, amongst others, in leading policy development in
South Africa and the establishment of a dedicated children’s hospital in South Africa through
one of the largest capital campaigns to be driven by civil society in the country.

A dream of former president Mr Nelson Mandela, and only the second dedicated hospital for
children in the region, the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital is a flagship project of the Fund
and serves as specialised paediatric facility aimed at improving the quality of paediatric care,
research and training in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Ms Mkhabela is also the recipient of The National Order of Luthuli (Silver), awarded by the
President of South Africa, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa in 2018, in recognition of her fight against
apartheid and advocacy for children and African societies.

An honour of this level serves as recognition of the journey, advocacy impact and calibre of
leadership of both the Fund and the Hospital Trust, further profiling our organisations and
encouraging our supporters across the globe.

We therefore congratulate Ms Mkhabela on this achievement and due acclamation.
_________________________________________________________________________
Jointly Issued by the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital Trust

http://video.mandela.ac.za/html5/player.php?vidid=grad2019-session03