Barack Obama delivers the 16th Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture on the theme “Renewing the Mandela Legacy and Promoting Active Citizenship in a Changing World” in honour of Mandela’s centennial birthday.
Annual Lecture 2018 – Barack Obama
The 2018 Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture, in partnership with the Motsepe Foundation, is to be delivered by former US President Barack Obama in Johannesburg on 17 July.
The Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture is one of the Foundation’s flagship programmes to honour its founder, Nelson Mandela. Every year since 2003, global leaders have used the lecture to raise topical issues affecting South Africa, Africa and the rest of the world.
To honour the centennial of Madiba’s birth, the lecture’s theme will be “Renewing the Mandela Legacy and Promoting Active Citizenship in a Changing World”. The Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture will focus on creating conditions for bridging divides, working across ideological lines, and resisting oppression and inequality.
The lecture will take place on 17 July 2018, a day before Nelson Mandela International Day, and will be held at the Bidvest Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. About 9 000 people are expected to attend.
For most of his life, Nelson Mandela fought for democracy and equality. His presidency was defined by his efforts to solidify the fragile democracy of South Africa, and by his lessons on the politics of bridge-building over the politics of division.
The Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture is a unique platform to drive debate on critical social issues in South Africa and around the world.
Former US President Barak Obama will deliver the keynote address to thousands of South African and international dignitaries.
Some roads around Corlett Drive have already been closed off to traffic.
Johannesburg Metro Police spokesperson Wayne Minnaar says: “It’s a significant event and there will be officers on duty to manage the traffic in the area. Dignitaries will be escorted, but the times will vary for the day. However, the road will be reopened at 8pm on Tuesday night.”
The event will be held under the theme: “Renewing the Mandela Legacy and Promoting Active Citizenship in a Changing World”.
Among the list of national and international dignitaries is former UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon, Botswana President Ian Khama and former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
Madiba would’ve turned 100-years-old on 18 July.