The 23rd Nelson Mandela Lecture’s focused on ‘enhancing peace and global cooperation’

Slu Molamodi

The 23rd Nelson Mandela Lecture hosted UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese in Johannesburg to discuss “Enhancing Peace and Global Cooperation.”
Albanese delivered a keynote address that strongly linked the Palestinian struggle for freedom to the global movement toward a “truly decolonial world order.”
She praised South Africa for taking Israel to the ICJ, and the event concluded with a fireside chat featuring Albanese and Naledi Pandor.

This last Saturday of October was one of the busiest Gauteng has ever seen. From the G20 dry run that resulted in road closures to a fragmented Joburg Pride parade, it was an eventful day. The 23rd Nelson Mandela Lecture was one of the events took place at the Sandton Convention Centre.

This year’s lecture was hosted under the theme “Enhancing Peace and Global Cooperation”.

Nelson Mandela Foundation CEO Dr Mbongiseni Buthelezi opened the lecture and highlighted how quickly the public responded to the event.

“When we saw the overwhelming response, we knew we had to make a plan”, he said.

The foundation’s chairperson, Dr Naledi Pandor, who received a standing ovation, introduced Ms Albanese while seasoned broadcaster, Redi Tlhabi, led the program.

In her address, Albanese acknowledged and thanked South Africa for taking the Israel to the International Court of Justice. She further added that the Gaza genocide has awakened society.

“If there is one thing I would like you to take from this lecture, it is this: whether recognised or not, accepted or not by those in power, the Palestinian struggle for freedom stands at the heart of the movement toward a truly decolonial world order”, she said.

The keynote address was followed by a fireside chat where Albanese and Pandor were on the panel, moderated by Tlhabi. Various dignitaries were in attendance including Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Mandla Mandela, former Finance Minister Trevor Manuel, and Gift of the Givers ‘ Dr Imtiaz Sooliman.