ADEA Tribute to Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela once said “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”. Mandela regarded education as the tool for developing Africa and empowering individuals to lift themselves out of poverty. ADEA feels a profound sense of loss of this greatest of statesmen of all times and joins world leaders and the rest of the international community to pay its profound respects to this great man. Mandela was a lifelong educator and teacher. He taught us how to become better human beings for peace and justice. For him, education was a way to break down barriers and foster peace. Not only did Mandela speak about the importance of education, but was a man of action as well when it came to education. In 2001, he suggested at an African Union Heads of State summit that a network of African institutions of science and technology be established in order to address the knowledge deficit on the continent. This idea contributed to bringing into being the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology in Arusha, Tanzania, as well as other science and technology institutions in Nigeria and Burkina Faso. While in prison in Robben Island, Mandela taught his fellow inmates and illiterate Afrikaaner guards to read.

As we remember Mandela’ life and legacy, we should take this time to continue to make this world a better world for everyone, through intensifying our commitments and efforts to ensure that every African has access to quality education on all levels. ADEA thanks Nelson Mandela for being such a great example to mankind and especially for his commitment to empower people all over the world through education.