Nobel Peace Laureate Malala Yousafzai will be the youngest speaker at the 21st Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture on December 5, 2023, in Johannesburg.
The lecture, which coincides with the tenth anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s passing, will focus on the need for leadership to cultivate and achieve a more just future.
“Malala embodies the type of leadership we believe the world needs across all levels of society,” said Verne Harris, acting CEO of the Nelson Mandela Foundation. “In the face of current global challenges, which can seem daunting, she stands as an inspiring symbol of hope for a just and equitable future.”
Yousafzai is a staunch advocate for the power of education and for girls to become agents of change. She is a fitting speaker for this year’s lecture, as she embodies the spirit of Mandela’s legacy.
The annual lecture will address key questions about the kind of leadership we need, how to achieve it, and what a more just future looks like.
“We need leaders who can inspire us to work together to solve the challenges we face and build a better future for all,” said Harris.
We are honoured to announce that @Malala, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has graciously accepted our invitation to deliver the 21st Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture.
— NelsonMandela (@NelsonMandela) October 2, 2023
Scheduled for 5 December 2023, this lecture holds special significance as it coincides with the tenth anniversary of… pic.twitter.com/0rPWMQflzH