Mandela Family to lead events promoting diversity in the city
“To think that all the way in Liverpool, what my dad stood for in life still resonates with a lot of people today, emphasises that rarely is social and political transformation an individual effort; often it is a result of an accumulation of forces.” Dr Makaziwe Mandela
In celebration of Nelson Mandela International Day, Mandela8, Liverpool BID Company, Torus Group and The Big Help Project will host the Mandela Family for the official opening of the Nelson Mandela Memorial and a series of events exploring how the city’s business community can become more diverse, and how the qualities Nelson Mandela exemplified can be part of the city’s business culture. The events, marking the tenth anniversary of the death of the visionary leader, will also explore business partnerships between Liverpool and South Africa.
Nelson Mandela International Day, on Tuesday 18 July 2023, shines a light on the legacy of a man who changed the 20th century and helped to shape the 21st. The day is used as a moment to renew the values that inspired Nelson Mandela, and to examine how his values should inspire us to take action and make a change.
Mandela8 was established to commemorate the life of Nelson Mandela through the creation of a permanent memorial in Princes Park, Liverpool 8. This summer it will be unveiled to coincide with Mandela Day.
The events will include;
The official opening of the memorial in Princes Park
An audience with the Mandela Family at Liverpool Everyman Theatre. A public event and panel discussion hosted by Marcus Ryder MBE and including Dr Maki Mandela & Tukwini Mandela.
A dinner with North West civic and business leaders, hosted by Downtown Liverpool in Business at Hope Street Hotel
Liverpool BID Company will also be supporting businesses to take up the “Mandela Day campaign, as championed by the Mandela family. Nelson Mandela spent 67 years of his life fighting for social justice and human rights and on Mandela day we ask you to do an act of kindness for someone else or in your community, to support the campaign.
Dr Makaziwe Mandela
“The Mandela8 Memorial to my Father Nelson Mandela is a moving and truly inspirational tribute to the sacrifices he and his comrades made to rid South Africa of the violent apartheid system. Being involved in this journey seeing the stones made and installed has been a very emotional experience for myself and my daughter Tukwini. To think that all the way in Liverpool, what my dad stood for in life still resonates with a lot of people today, emphasises that rarely is social and political transformation an individual effort; often it is a result of an accumulation of forces. We are looking forward to officially opening the memorial.”
Sonia Bassey MBE, Chair Mandela8
“We are delighted to be with Dr Maki and Tukwini again when they officially open the memorial. It will be a significant and emotional moment to see the memorial open and being used as an outdoor classroom to educate people and continue to seek harmony, love and peace in the world based on Nelson Mandela’s values that are still relevant today.
We want people from all over the world to visit the memorial and for its educational properties to be realised by people of all ages across Liverpool and beyond. We are truly grateful to all our partners.”
Bill Addy, CEO of Liverpool BID Company
“We are proud to be welcoming the Mandela family to Liverpool and for them to lead this series of events, in partnership with Mandela8 helping to shape the city for the future. Our business community should reflect the rich diversity of Liverpool and we continue to work and learn to drive that forward”.
Leader of Liverpool City Council, Cllr Liam Robinson
“Liverpool is immensely proud of our relationship with the Mandela family. It’s a connection that greatly enriches our civic life and helps to promote a wider understanding of the universal themes of social justice – lessons which are as apt today as they’ve ever been. The unveiling of the memorial at Princes Park on Nelson Mandela International Day will be a red letter day for the city and will further cement the bonds we already have and treasure. It’s heartening to see so many people and organisations involved in this event and underlines how much of an inspiration the great man himself continues to be.”
Cath Murray-Howard, Chief Operating Officer for Torus Group
“Torus Group continues its commitment to collaborate with and build upon diverse neighbourhoods and we are thrilled to once again be part of the momentous work being undertaken by Mandela8. As we celebrate the official opening of the Nelson Mandela Memorial, a milestone that Torus is delighted to have supported, we are reminded of the pride taken in championing initiatives that drive community growth.
“Teams across the Group are dedicated to continue the support being delivered through projects that enhance opportunities, and together, see the memorial as a symbol of unity, resilience while working towards a brighter future for all.”
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First elected African-Caribbean female Government Minister becomes Mandela8 PatronLiverpool is preparing to welcome back the family of revolutionary leader Nelson Mandela.
The former President’s eldest daughter Dr Makaziwe ‘Maki’ Mandela and his granddaughter Tukwini Mandela, are travelling to the city to make their mark on artwork which will form part of the city’s permanent Nelson Mandela memorial in Princes Park.
The completed memorial will include a ‘Freedom Bridge’, a pavilion and 32 cylindrical stone-works inscribed with inspirational Mandela quotes. These pedestals represent the oil drums used to grow an allotment on the rooftop of Pollsmoor Prison where Mandela was held for part of his prison sentence. During their six-day trip, the family will visit Crosby Memorials to personally inscribe one of the stone drums.
They will also take part in a series of celebratory and commemorative events including:
The day before the Mandela’s arrival, Liverpool will officially mark Mandela Day (18 July) which will see hundreds of school children parade down Princes Avenue into Princes Park. They will also take part in a number of activities including a picnic, and plans are in place for litter picks, wildflower sowing and a mini-beast-hunt. This day also sees the city host the Commonwealth Games Baton Relay which will also be paraded down the Avenue by nominated baton bearers.
Dr Maki and Tukwini last visited the city in February 2019 to give their blessing to the Princes Park location for the memorial which it is hoped will be completed by the end of the year.
The work will reflect Nelson Mandela’s love of gardens and horticulture along with his struggle for freedom, equality and humanity. The spaces will be used for future activity in the park, acting as a focal point and an area to visit, reflect and educate.
Liverpool City Council made Nelson Mandela Freeman of the City in 1994.
The visit is being organised by Toxteth-based charity Mandela8 which commissioned the official memorial. The charity is working in partnership with Liverpool City Council and other supporters include Heritage Lottery Fund UK, Uniglobal Union, Unison North West, FACT, The Sovini Group, MSB Solicitors, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and housing and regeneration group Torus, the Torus Foundation and the repairs and maintenance company owned by Torus, HMS.
Dr Maki and Tukwini Mandela said:
“We hold a special place in our hearts for Liverpool and its people, and we are really excited to return to see the memorial being made and be involved in a range of special events to celebrate our father and grandfather’s legacy. It is really important that now, more than ever, hope and aspiration is a key part of the legacy we continue to fulfil. We want to share that message with Liverpool when we visit.”
Mayor of Liverpool, Joanne Anderson, said:
“It will be a real honour to meet Dr Maki and Tukwini in person and spend some time with a family so committed to achieving equality and devoting their lives to peace.
“They have a strong affinity with Liverpool and they are keen to be involved as work on the memorial progresses, and their visit gives us the chance to re-emphasise our solidarity and support to the Mandela legacy.
“The city council has been working closely with Mandela8 for a number of years and it will be wonderful to see work on elements of the memorial take shape in what will be a lasting tribute to Nelson Mandela’s unforgettable humanitarian achievements.”
Sonia Bassey, Mandela8 Chair said:
“Mandela8 is absolutely delighted to host Dr Maki and Tukwini Mandela again after so long. We are really looking forward to showing them around our wonderful city again and making sure they get to meet as many people as possible this time. We have arranged a fantastic programme to celebrate their return and the making of our memorial.”
Cath Murray-Howard, Chief Operating Officer from Torus Group said:
“Torus is proud to be associated with such a seminal event, Mandela8 has for many years been a close partner as so many of our tenants live in the area. The Torus Foundation, based in the Fire Fit Hub, Toxteth will support all the celebratory events by working with all colleagues on many wonderful activities.”
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First elected African-Caribbean female Government Minister becomes Mandela8 PatronMandela8 are delighted to partner with Inclusive Companies to deliver a webinar focusing on the My 67 Minutes Programme.
Nelson Mandela spent 67 years supporting social justice and human rights before he passed the baton to others on his 90th Birthday, 18th July – now officially named Mandela Day – asking them to spend 67 minutes of their time to do an act of kindness for someone else.
The ‘My 67 Minutes’ campaign encourages everyone to take 67 minutes out of their day – one minute for every year that Mandela fought for human rights and social justice – to do something for someone else or for their community.
We want to see thousands of individual acts of kindness all across the world, ideally on Mandela Day – Sunday 18th July, or in the week leading up to Mandela Day itself.
During this session, Sonia Bassey MBE, Mandela8 Chair, and Dawn Morris, Mandela8 Trustee, will share how you, your organisation or your communities can get involved. There will also be the opportunity for Q&A from the audience as we explore ideas to celebrate this commemorative occasion.
This webinar will provide you with an overview of the My 67 Minutes programme established by Mandela8 and what it entails.
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First elected African-Caribbean female Government Minister becomes Mandela8 PatronSponsored by Torus Foundation
Liverpool charitable organisation Mandela8 marked Mandela Day this year by encouraging the public to take part in a whole week of activities aimed at promoting community cohesion and highlighting those who have been affected by the ongoing pandemic.
The group behind the new Nelson Mandela memorial in Princes Park had originally planned for a visit from Mandela’s family to mark its opening this July, but sadly plans had to be put on hold due to both construction work and travel being so adversely affected by the lockdown.
Adapting to the country’s current situation, the charity decided they would instead use the week – commencing 13th July – to recognise the not only the pain and suffering that local communities are going through but also provide a space for organisations to recognise the work their staff and volunteers have done to help people during Covid-19.
As part of their #My67Minutes campaign – sponsored by Torus Foundation – participants were encouraged to spend 67 minutes of their day taking part in their chosen act of kindness; one minute for every year of Mandela’s public service.
Highlights of the week included:
Be sure to keep up with all our activity throughout the year and our plans for what’s set to be a huge Mandela Week for 2021 by following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Photo: Agent Marketing
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First elected African-Caribbean female Government Minister becomes Mandela8 PatronA message from our Chair, Sonia Bassey, MBE:
Following recent advice and direction by Government regarding Covid-19 that large gatherings should not take place and recent school, university and public venue closures, we have taken the decision to postpone Mandela Week and the Mandela family visit.
In agreement with Dr Maki and Tukwini Mandela and our partners and sponsors we will be organizing the visit to take place during July 2021, government guidelines permitting.
All our efforts at this time should be directed at our vulnerable and elderly in society and our health and emergency services.
Our programme for the visit included all schools across the Liverpool City Region, a range of public events across Cheshire and Merseyside and two major celebration events so understandably these cannot take place at this time.
Dr Maki and Tukwini Mandela said: “We are sorry we cannot be with you in July this year. It is important that we take all our Governments advice seriously and stay safe. We look forward to being with you all next year in Liverpool and you have a heartfelt and sincerest best wishes for you and your families during this difficult time”.
Your health and wellbeing remain our greatest priority and Mandela8 are currently revising a range of activities we are committed to so that people can still take part via social media or digital solutions. These include our Roots and Wings Young Leaders Programme and our National Heritage Lottery Fund Memorial and Legacy Programme.
We would like to thank you, our sponsors and funders for your ongoing support and want you to stay safe and look out for each other.
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First elected African-Caribbean female Government Minister becomes Mandela8 PatronMandela8 is delighted to announce that Emma Carey, Managing Partner at award-winning law firm, MSB Solicitors, is now a patron. Emma has been a long term supporter of Mandela8 and will add real value to our work with young people.
Emma is the firm’s Managing Partner and is responsible for the implementation and delivery of the firm’s business strategy.
She was formerly head of the firm’s family department and prides herself on having developed one of the North West’s leading, award-winning family departments.
Emma sits on the Law Societies Family Committee and Access to Justice Committee and is committed to ensuring that MSB and other businesses in the city take their social responsibilities seriously.
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First elected African-Caribbean female Government Minister becomes Mandela8 PatronYou will be aware of the ongoing campaign to establish a permanent memorial to Nelson Mandela in Liverpool’s Princes Park. Mandela8 in collaboration with Liverpool City Council * have arranged for a visit from Dr. Makaziwe Mandela and Mrs Tukwini Mandela, the daughter and granddaughter of Nelson Mandela, to coincide with the 29th anniversary of his release from prison and to formally lay foundations for the Mandela8 memorial.
The culmination of their visit will be a Fundraising Reception to take place on Wednesday 13th February 2019 at the Devonshire House Hotel, Liverpool, supported by the TUC. Guests at the event will have a chance to hear from the Mandela family directly , and all funds raised will go toward the memorial. The event will celebrate the solidarity shown by our city over the years in its stance against Apartheid and the campaign for the release of Mandela, and will celebrate the principles by which he lived his life .
* The tour is supported by MSB Solicitors, Prima Group , and MerseyCare NHS Trust
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