The event was aimed at providing the audience with examples of people and organisations who are having a positive impact on the world, as part of the week’s celebrations surrounding Mandela Day.

 

Dangor, who hosted the event, explained the Foundation’s work to promote social justice before introducing Jeniffer Montano, who was one of 12 students from New York City to visit South Africa in June 2009 as a winner of an essay competition about the impact that Nelson Mandela had made on her life.

 

Montano, describing her trip to South Africa, was overcome by emotion when she described meeting Mr Mandela and how his “will to free a nation” inspired her to overcome the challenges in her own life, including a history of domestic violence and sexual abuse.

 

The executive director and CEO of the AIDS Service Center (ASC), Sharen Duke, said she was proud to be part of Mandela Day, before explaining the ASC’s work, helping people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.

 

“In many ways, Mr Mandela’s views are echoed by ASC. We are trying to eradicate bigotry and violence against women,” she said. “Each one of us has the power to change our communities by adopting the values of Nelson Mandela.”

 

Shanon Makoriwa, of the Development Associate of the African Services Committee – an organisation that works to reduce the number of HIV/AIDS infections and help those already infected by HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia – said that the organisation’s success was based on the determination of its founders to fight for human rights for fellow Africans despite challenges of their own.

 

“Thank you for being an inspiration [Mr Mandela] to so many,” she said.

 

Dangor, introducing the founder and CEO of the LOVE, HALLIE Foundation, Ted Geier, explained how the death of Geier’s 11-year-old daughter Hallie, after being hit by a car, had inspired Geier to promote youth philanthropy.

 

“We believe in the power of one,” said Geier, “the power of children to make a difference. We are so honoured to be a part of the [Mandela Day].

 

“Hallie and Mr Mandela may appear to be opposites – one was white, one was black, one was young, one is old ... but Hallie and Madiba shared many values about kindness, about humanity, about unity.

 

“Superheroes,” said Geier quoting Hallie, “don’t need to be big men in capes ... people picking up trash on the street can be superheroes.”

 

“Mandela Day is an ongoing opportunity to make a change ... we are honoured to be included,” Geier said.

 

Writer Conchita Sarnoff spoke about the need to educate people about the atrocities of human trafficking. Sarnoff explained that 2-million children under the age of 14 are trafficked annually.

 

“They are serviced [sexually abused] 15 to 20 times on a daily basis,” she said.

 

“I know my efforts are not enough,” she said of her own work on human trafficking, “but it’s a beginning. I know that, like Nelson Mandela, if you have a fight you have to start somewhere.

 

“I have a responsibility to provide a voice to those children who don’t have a voice.”

 

MacDella Cooper, fashion model turned philanthropist, explained that the high life as a model hadn’t felt quite right for her given her own background.

 

After her father had been killed during the war in Liberia, Cooper had fled to the United States as a refugee with no idea where her mother was or even if she was still alive.

 

With a successful modelling career, Cooper decided to start trying to help children affected by the violence in her native Liberia.

 

“I started really small, sending clothes to begin with,” she said.

 

As letters came pouring in pleading for more help, Cooper became more involved.

 

“When I visited Liberia I noticed thousands of children on the streets, who I found out were all street children ... I decided we have to do something about this.

 

“I came back and phoned up every single friend I had and said we have to do something. We set up orphanages in Liberia and then started providing education for these orphans.

 

“I’m so grateful to be here. Nelson Mandela did not let 27 years get in the way of what he needed to do ... I encourage you to do something.”

 

She was followed by Shaun Johnson who explained the Mandela Rhodes Foundation’s work in seeking out Africa’s leaders of tomorrow before introducing one of the scholars, Judy Sikuza, who is studying towards her Masters degree in industrial psychology at Columbia University.

 

Sikuza spoke about the privilege and responsibility inherent in being a Mandela Rhodes scholar and asked all of those present to get involved in Mandela Day.

 

Ian Glenday, president of the Friends of The Mandela Rhodes Foundation, explained how the foundation supports the Mandela Rhodes scholars as well as high school students in need of help.

 

Before closing the speeches, Dangor asked some of the speakers what they would be doing to make an imprint on Mandela Day and beyond.

 

“I would like to be able to somehow let legislators in the US know that human trafficking is a real and growing problem, in order to be able to tackle this heinous crime.” said Sarnoff. “Seventy percent of the biggest online industry in the US – pornography – is child pornography. After drugs and weapons, children are seen as the third biggest asset by drug cartels.”

 

“I pledge my continued support to the Liberian children,” said Cooper.

 

The event ended with a performance of 46664’s prevention play Khululeka – It’s in our hands.