RECAP: This is what happened at the Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture
ILLOVO – The 16th Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture is being held today, 17 July, at the Wanderers Stadium.
Update: Madiba’s light shined so bright, even from the narrow gap of his Robben Island cell – Obama during Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture
Obama takes the stage while the crowd chants 'Yes we can' #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News pic.twitter.com/UwU4BYMN3l
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Obama – Let me begin with a correction, I am a very good dancer, Michelle is still the best #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Obama – I wasn't exactly invited here, I was ordered very nicely by Ms Machel to be here #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Obama – each day the news cycle brings more strange and disturbing headlines, so I thought it would be good to step back and get some perspective #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Obama – The average person saw no possibility of the advance of circumstances in their world #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Obama – There are people alive today who were alive during that time. #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Obama – It was in service of this long walk to freedom and service to other. His fight was particularly for this country for the freedom of others #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Obama speaks about how developments in medicine and technology have helped transform the world in just a few decades. 'It should make us hopeful' #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Obama highlights that despite these advances there are still huge challenges including racial discrimination and sexist #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Obama – The more things change, the more they stay the same. Globalisation and technology have led to growth but also greatly reduce the demand for workers, made it easier for capitals to avoid tax laws, this has resulted in an explosion of economic inequality #CaxtonAtMandela
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Obama – its created even greater opportunities for corruption. For middle class families, especially in the US, it has created instability #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Obama – The reckless behaviour of financial elites resulted in years of struggle during the 2008 financial crisis #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Obama – Many African countries face authoritarian rule, media is under attack so on Madiba's 100th birthday we now stand at the cross hairs #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Obama says we are facing two different narratives about who we are and who we should be, should we see the hope we had as naive? #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News #CaxtonAtMandela
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Obama – I believe in a future of quality and freedom and I believe such a future is possible. I think we have no choice but to move forward #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Obama – Authoritarian governments have been shown to breed corruption, to oppress their people #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News #CaxtonAtMandela
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Obama – History shows how easily people can be convinced to turn on those who look different, so we're gonna have to work harder, be smarter and learn from mistakes of the past #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Obama – We are going to have to fight harder to fight inequality and promote equality among everyone #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Obama – if we care about social justice today then we have the responsibility to work on it today. We have to build and innovate and how we achieve this will vary from country to country #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Obama says you don't have to take a vow of poverty just to help others. 'instead of saying I've got so much how can I help, people say how can I have more and more' #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Obama – There is talent all around the world if it is given the opportunity #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Obama says he's astounded that he has to stand here today and still reiterate that everyone is equal #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Obama – Madiba never stopped being proud of his tribal heritage and being a black man, but he knew that you could be proud of your heritage without denigrating others' heritage #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Obama – Madiba reminds us that democracy is about more than just elections. He probably could have been president for life, had he chosen Madiba could have chosen to rule unchecked #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Obama – Democracy is about checks and balanced and freedom of press and protest and yes democracy can be messy #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Obama – the government exists to serve the individual, not the other way around. So for those interested in democracy we need to stop focusing on the capitals and focus on grass roots #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Obama – We have to keep teaching our children and ourselves to keep engaging with those whose beliefs differ from ours #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Obama – You can't get 100 % of what you want all the time, sometimes you have to compromise but it doesn't mean abandoning your values #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Obama – You can't just ignore facts though, you can't compromise with someone who doesn't believe in facts. You can't have a politician that gets caught in a lie and they just lie some more#CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Obama – The counter of facts is counter to democracy. Schools need to teach critical thinking to young people. We have to follow Madiba's example of persistence and hope #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Obama – We don't just need one leader or one inspiration, we need the collective #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Obama encourages young people to keep leading and inspiring. 'Now is a good time to be fired up' #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Crowds sing as Ramaphosa is welcomed to stage at at Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture
Crowds sing and dance as President Cyril Ramaphosa is welcomed to the stage #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News pic.twitter.com/kYTiOjldfR
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Update: Mandela’s most enduring accomplishment was to teach us what it is to be human – Ramaphosa at Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture
Ramaphosa – we are truly humbled and honoured to be celebrating the centenary of Mandela and Albertina Sisulu #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Ramaphosa – I would like to thank the Nelson Mandela foundation for extending the invite for all of us to witness this occasion #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Ramaphosa – The annual lecture is a fitting tribute to Mandela, the people of our country, the continent and the world at large #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Ramaphosa – The people of South Africa bestowed the title of father of the nation upon Madiba because of his service to the people #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Ramaphosa – His most enduring accomplishment was to teach us what it is to be human. He appealed beyond the boundaries of race, colour, class etc #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Ramaphosa – like us he wasn't perfect, but like us he sought be better. He had an incredible capacity for wisdom, compassion and humility #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Ramaphosa – Madiba's enduring legacy is that he expects us to fight for the poor and the vulnerable #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Update: I can see Madiba smiling when I say President Ramaphosa, says Graça Machel at Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture
Graca Machel is welcomed to the podium #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Machel – I can see Madiba smiling when I say President Ramaphosa. Mr Obama, I can't say how happy I am that you accepted our invitation #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Machel – I am overjoyed to learn of the amount of festivities by government, business and civil society, from every corner of the globe honouring Madiba's centenary #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Machel – I salute all the legacy institutions Mandela established because they all play a special role in our society. Thank you for your efforts to advance the causes he held so dear #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Machel – His legacy is a rich tapestry woven over a hundred years. #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Machel – Honours Albertina Sisulu for her contributions to South Africa #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Machel – the tapestry of his legacy is woven by generations of great thinkers and freedom fighters. We must remember that he was not acting in isolation, he considered himself a single foot soldier #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Machel – the Madiba I know is a simple, humble and grounded man #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Machel – He understood he was a flawed human being and was not a Saint. Despite his incredible achievements, the essence of who we was never changed #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Machel – Young and old alike, we all have the seeds of Madiba within us to confront the challenges we are facing. We all have the responsibility to touch the lives around us and uplift our communities #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Machel – it is not by chance that we have one of the greatest leaders of the 21st century here today #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Machel – As the first African American president he too was influenced by generations of greats who came before him #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Machel – Madiba inspired a young Barack Obama to become an example of service to others. #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Machel – To celebrate Madiba is to nurture the future where people have been inspired to seek the world as it should be and become giants like those we are celebrating today #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Machel concludes her speech by quoting Obama's campaign phrase and says 'Yes we can' #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Businessman Patrice Motsepe says the spirit of Mandela can be felt here today
Businessman Patrice Motsepe says the spirit of Mandela can be felt here today #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Motsepe – All of us have treasured memories of Mandela. We had a meeting with Madiba and a few months later he reminded me that I had said the future of the wealthy do not have a future if the poor don't #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Motsepe – All of us have someone in our lives who gives us a helping hand. #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Motsepe – in order to have a corrupt politician you need to have an equally corrupt businessman. Many people have made the ultimate sacrifice and all of us have to have a zero tolerance to corruption #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Earlier: We welcome the voice of Obama, says Prof Ndebele at Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture
Professor Njabulo Ndebele delivers the welcoming remarks at the 16th Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture.
Prof Njabulo Ndebele takes the stage to give welcome remarks, greets everyone who has travelled both far and near for this occasion #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Ndebele – The late Ahmed Kathrada always said that this lecture should be held at a stadium, today he got his wisdom #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Ndebele – Madiba put on armour to mask his turmoil but he had the honesty to put words to his fears #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Ndebele – There are many South Africans today here with their political parties, schools, sports clubs etc who play a leadership role in our country #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Ndebele – Today many, Obama offered many people the hope of a better future among cultural, racial divides #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Ndebele – we have a seem state capture in other countries across the world, more like a capture of democracy #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Ndebele – we welcome the voice of Obama, he has been the voice of many problems #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Ndebele – let us find the Madiba in each of us, let us #BeTheLegacy #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Ndebele – let us find the Madiba in each of us, let us #BeTheLegacy #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Earlier: Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture underway
Sello Hatang, the CEO of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, is welcoming guests to the 16th Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture.
The CEO of the Nelson Mandela foundation Sello Hatang welcomes the crowd #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Graca Machel and Cyril Ramaphosa enter the stage to cheers from the crowd #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Obama receives standing ovation as Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture gets underway
Former American president @BarackObama receives a standing ovation from the crowd, the atmosphere is euphoric #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
The Soweto Gospel Choirs makes their way to the stage to perform the national anthem #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News pic.twitter.com/dJuym8x4SQ
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
The programme director, Busi Mkhumbuzi, greeted the speakers.
Busi Mkhumuzi greets all speakers, politicians and former speakers at the annual #NMAL2018 #CaxtonAtMandela @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Mkhumuzi speaks about rise in corruption, national and patriarchy around the world. 'this is an auspicious occasion to talk about Mandela's principles' #NMAL2018 #CaxtonAtMandela
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Mkhumuzi – this occasion must motivate the youth. I encourage you all to motivate the youth #NMAL2018 #CaxtonAtMandela @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Mkhumbuzi invites Prof Njabulo Ndebele to give the welcoming remarks.
Prof Njabulo Ndebele takes the stage to give welcome remarks, greets everyone who has travelled both far and near for this occasion #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Ndebele – The late Ahmed Kathrada always said that this lecture should be held at a stadium, today he got his wisdom #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
There are about 15 000 attendees expected at the stadium, among them dignitaries and celebrities. This is who journalist, Thabo Jobo, spotted:
Mamelodi Sundowns’ Alex ‘Goldfinger’ Shakoane was spotted @WanderersStadium for the #NelsonMandelaLecture to be delivered by former USA president Barack Obama #CaxtonAtMandela pic.twitter.com/96Ngm20Mzz
— Thabo Jobo (@ThaboNokajobo) July 17, 2018
Some of the stalwarts who delivered the #NelsonMandelaLecture also include our own former president #ThaboMbeki and Archbishop Desmond Tutu #CaxtonatMandela pic.twitter.com/0BCLzFBChr
— Thabo Jobo (@ThaboNokajobo) July 17, 2018
Follow our journalists on Twitter as they cover the lecture today using the #CaxtonAtMandela
Earlier
Illovo is buzzing with activity as the 16th Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture is about to get underway.
ALSO READ: Barack Obama to speak at the Wanderers Stadium ahead of Madiba’s birthday
There are 15 000 attendees expected at the stadium.
By 1pm, there were scores of people queuing patiently outside the Wanderers Stadium.
Scores of people queue outside the Wanderers Stadium for the 16th Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture. Photo: Thabo JoboThis website’s journalists, Laura Pisanello, Chantelle Fourie and Thabo Jobo are at the Wanderers Stadium ahead of the lecture.
The Wanderers Stadium is already buzzing with activity as people excitedly prepare for the Nelson Mandela Lecture. Follow #CaxtonAtMandela for live tweets of the whole event #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Motorists are warned that traffic in the Illovo area is affected as thousands of people are entering the stadium, and various roads are closed to traffic.
ALSO READ: Motorists urged to take note of road closure ahead of Nelson Mandela Lecture
Today @barackobama is delivering the 16th annual Nelson Mandela Lecture here at the Wanderers Stadium in Joburg. Thousands are entering the stadium #CaxtonatMandela #NMAL2018
— Cllr Chantelle Fourie-Shawe (@cfshawe) July 17, 2018
Follow our journalists on Twitter as they cover the lecture today using the #CaxtonAtMandela
The stage is set for former USA president to deliver the 16th annual #NelsonMandela lecture @wanderersstafium pic.twitter.com/HtK3i1n7C2
— Thabo Jobo (@ThaboNokajobo) July 17, 2018
ALSO READ: What to expect at the annual Nelson Mandela Lecture
Watch as journalist Chantelle Fourie interviews two learners at the Wanderers Stadium in Illovo who share their excitement for Obama’s speech during the Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture.
Vendors selling Nelson Mandela memorabilia, including t-shirts, hats and Mandela's memoir A Long Walk to Freedom #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
The Wanderers Stadium is slowly starting to fill up. The black chairs are reserved for the VIP which includes Desmond Tutu, Ban Ki Moon and Jimmy Carter #CaxtonAtMandela #NMAL2018 @Sandton_News pic.twitter.com/duMeSlOtal
— Laura Pisanello (@LauraPisanello) July 17, 2018
Are you at the stadium? Share your experiences with the team in the comment section
