Nelson Mandela 100, Obama and philanthropy

Three key sectors have an impact on our future: government, the corporate sector and civil society. Where government fails, civil society often steps in. Philanthropy – part of civil society – will be a vital part of South African life for years to come.

On 17 July my cousin and I stood in the long queue, shuffling our way into the Wanderers Stadium where the Obama lecture took place to celebrate the centenary of Nelson Mandela’s birth.

The content of the various speeches was uplifting as this was, indeed, a day to celebrate. A day for us to review what our South African values are and the indelible impact Mandela made on those values. More importantly for me was the nature of the crowd – positive, energetic, young and eager to build the country, to play a role in ensuring that the basic values espoused by Madiba should reach fruition.