Mandela’s vision and the SDGs: A blueprint for equity and alleviating poverty

Mark your calendar for July 18th, 2024, from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. TEDxJohannesburgSalon: 17 Global Goals awaits you at GIBS. Secure your spot by purchasing tickets here. Be part of a day that celebrates collaboration, inspiration, and the enduring legacy of Nelson Mandela.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), often referred to as the Global Goals, represent a universal blueprint for addressing critical global challenges. These goals aim to eradicate poverty, combat climate change, and ensure peace and prosperity for all by 2030. Formulated by the United Nations in 2015, they tackle pressing issues such as climate change, poverty, and inequity, with the ultimate goal of strengthening universal peace.

In perfect alignment with the SDGs, the Nelson Mandela Foundation has issued a powerful call to action for Nelson Mandela International Day 2024: “It’s still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity.” This resonates deeply with Mandela’s legacy of compassion, justice, and equity.

In 2023, the Nelson Mandela Foundation collaborated with the Office of the United Nations’ resident coordinator, Mr. Nelson Muffuh, and other UN representatives in Diepsloot. Together, we unveiled a booklet featuring Nelson Mandela’s quotes alongside the Sustainable Development Goals. This initiative aimed to inspire collective action and raise awareness about the transformative potential of these goals.

Later that year, on September 11th, 2023, the Office of the Resident Coordinator and the Nelson Mandela Foundation officially launched the booklet. It became a beacon of hope, emphasising the shared responsibility we all have in shaping a better future.

Fast forward to 2024, where an exciting event awaits: TEDxJohannesburgSalon: 17 Global Goals. On Nelson Mandela International Day, July 18th, visionary leaders, change-makers, and advocates will converge at the Gordon Institute of Business Science for an inspiring TED Talk.

The theme? “It is still in our hands.”

The diverse lineup includes remarkable individuals dedicated to advancing each of the 17 SDGs. From Wandile Sihlobo championing sustainable agriculture to Shudufhadzo Musida advocating for quality education, these change-makers embody the spirit of Mandela’s legacy. Their stories, innovative solutions, and actionable insights promise to ignite conversations and drive positive change.