The Nelson Mandela Institute (NMI) for Education and Rural Development, a partnership between the Nelson Mandela Foundation (NMF), the University of Fort Hare (UFH) and the Eastern Cape Department of Education (ECDoE) will celebrate its launch on the Friday, the 3rd of August at the City Hall in East London.

The Institute represents a long held dream of Mr Mandela, and was created to take forward his work in rural education. The area of education, and particularly education serving children born into poverty, remains a driving pre-occupation of his. The mission of the Institute is to wade in the water of developmental activism to find enduring solutions for providing children with a dignified education.

The launch will be an afternoon event, with proceedings starting at 12:30 and ending at 16:30. The event will be attended by Mr Mandela and his wife, Mrs Graca Machel, who will provide the keynote address. Other speakers include Ms Nosimo Balindlela, Premier of the Eastern Cape; Ms Naledi Pandor, Minister of Education, Professor Derrick Swartz, Vice Chancellor of the University of Fort Hare and well-known US actor and singer Mr Harry Belafonte. The Executive Mayor of Buffalo City Municipality Ms Zintle Peter will welcome guests.

A press conference with Mr. Harry Belafonte will be conducted after the launch at approximately 16h30.

Former Miss South Africa and businesswoman Basetsana Kumalo will be the Master of Ceremonies, and entertainment will be provided by R&B singer Lira, as well as Eastern Cape artists the Eastern Cape Cultural Ensemble and Sweet Mama.

The event will also celebrate and give voice to learners in the Eastern Cape – from primary school learners to university students – whose joint imagination creates our next steps as a nation.

The event will be attended by 500 guests from provincial and national government, civil society, business, NGOs and schools.