We are less than a week away from achieving what was a dream 10 years ago. Tuesday the 18th July is a day for celebration to realise that dream when we launch a memorial to Nelson Mandela.
This memorial has been achieved through years of hard work, determination and a lengthy consultation with the Mandela family, the local community, residents of Princes Park and civic leaders.
What was fundamental to us throughout this consultation was that the memorial signified the pride and respect the community have in Liverpool for Nelson Mandela and what he achieved in fighting for social justice. The memorial signifies a place where people can come to learn, reflect and feel proud of what can be achieved when communities come together from different parts of the world.
We fully recognised that to achieve our goal of installing this memorial that everybody’s voice mattered and that is why we undertook extensive consultation throughout each stage of the development.
In 2019 we launched the memorial, and we went through a formal planning process in which the impact on wildlife and animals was considered. It is with great sadness that we have to notify people that objections have been raised at this very late stage by somebody concerned for the environment.
We do not dispute that these issues are raised out of a genuine passion for wildlife. However, we are extremely concerned that this issue may now be hijacked by far-right groups who will use this platform to bring disruption to this special day.
Mandela8 would like to assure everybody, that the impact of the memorial on wildlife and the environment was fully considered throughout the consultation process. There are things we have put in place which have encouraged the wildlife in the area to thrive; but fundamentally Princes Park is an inner-city park in an area where many people do not have access to a garden or open space.
We ask that everybody who attends the event embraces this special day in recognition of Nelson Mandela who is an icon to us. Please stand beside us and share our passion to educate people to love not hate.
Mandela8 Board of Directors
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The vision brought together by Mandela8 following the death of Nelson Mandela in December 2013 was to see a permanent artwork established in the Liverpool 8 area to celebrate and commemorate Nelson Mandela’s outstanding achievement for humanity and the strong links between Liverpool and South Africa. The decision to locate the memorial in the Joseph Paxton designed Grade II listed Prince’s Park followed local consultation and engagement processes and an open design tender. The memorial reflects not only the meaningful legacy of Nelson Mandela but the significant history of anti-apartheid activism in Liverpool, further detail of which can be found at Mandela8. This was reflected in the establishment of the Sunburst Gates, a key listed feature in Princes Park, as the location for a temporary memorial to his legacy following his death.
It is an exciting opportunity to showcase a significant artwork and memorial that will be integral to the process of change and promotion of diversity, humanity and equality: key principles that Nelson Mandela campaigned for all his life. The memorial design reflects an outdoor classroom to educate people of all ages about humanity, social justice and how to celebrate each other for our differences. A fundamental element of this education will also be environmental education, including the work done by ourselves, Liverpool City Council, Friends of Princes Park and others to improve the park, protect the wildlife, increase the wildlife, and continuing to value and protect wildlife in a cohabited space. Working with a range of people and organisations we want the space to be a place of cohesion and education.
Nelson Mandela cultivated a garden from 16 oil barrels when he was in Pollsmoor prison.
“A garden was one of the few things in prison that one could control. To plant a seed, watch it grow, to tend it and then harvest it, offered a simple but enduring satisfaction. The sense of being the custodian of this small patch of earth offered a small taste of freedom. In some ways, I saw the garden as a metaphor for certain aspects of my life. A leader must also tend his garden; he, too, plants seeds, and then watches, cultivates, and harvests the result. Like the gardener, a leader must take responsibility for what he cultivates; he must mind his work, try to repel enemies, preserve what can be preserved, and eliminate what cannot succeed.”
— Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom
Who are Mandela8?
Mandela8 started as a campaign in the Liverpool 8 community after Nelson Mandela’s passing. This campaign grew and Mandela8 was formally established as a charity in 2017. Mandela8’s initial vision was to see an internationally recognised permanent artwork that functioned as a unique space for education, performance, conversation and contemplation established within a Toxteth Liverpool 8 heritage site, to celebrate, commemorate and pursue the legacy of Nelson Mandela’s outstanding achievement for humanity. Since its establishment Mandela8 have delivered and supported a number of initiatives in L8 and beyond including the annual My 67 Minutes programme (where people give 67 minutes of their time to do acts of kindness for others representing the 67 years Nelson Mandela fought for social justice and human rights); the Roots & Wings programme for young people at risk of criminal exploitation; the introduction of the Mandela Field of Hope (a wildflower meadow established in the park during Covid 19 (securing all funding) to enhance biodiversity and provide both habitat and sources of food for wildlife and a colourful visual display for park visitors); The Angela Holligan Book Collection and the development of the Princes Avenue Steps Scheme.
More details about Mandela8, their work in the community and their patrons can be found at mandela8.org.uk
What is Nelson Mandela’s connection to Liverpool?
Liverpool was an active city in anti-apartheid, boycotting South African goods and campaigning to free Nelson Mandela from prison, with local activists in Liverpool 8, union representatives and others being involved. Liverpool held the first Freedom Festival for Nelson Mandela in Liverpool 8. Liverpool City Council gave Nelson Mandela the Freedom of the City in 1994.
Nelson Mandela’s importance to Liverpool is huge. In Toxteth, Liverpool 8, Mandela remains a highly significant role model to the community. In the 1980s Liverpool 8 was tireless in its support of the anti-apartheid struggle through demos, product boycotts, park runs and the Free Nelson Mandela Campaign.
Apartheid (apartness) was a brutal system of racial segregation and white supremacy in South Africa. The world-wide anti-apartheid movement grew throughout the ’60s ’70s and ’80s in its support for Black South Africans and other minority groups living under this oppressive system. This support was inspired by figures like Nelson Mandela, whose eventual rise from political prisoner to the first Black President of South Africa, turned him into a global icon for freedom and equality.
To find out more about some of the strong connections between the city’s Black community, Nelson Mandela and the anti-apartheid movement please visit the display at the Museum of Liverpool’s Our City, Our Stories programme, a partnership programme which enables local people to represent their own interpretation of the museum’s themes and objects. This display was created in partnership with the Mandela8 group. Liverpool 8 Against Apartheid | National Museums Liverpool (liverpoolmuseums.org.uk)
What will the memorial look like?
The designs for the memorial – as depicted on the project signage displayed in the park since July 2020 – are inspired by Mandela’s gardens at Robben Island and Pollsmoor Prison. His gardens were symbols of resistance, tools for resilience, spaces for reflection and platforms for community. The food grown in Mandela’s gardens provided a resource to counter the food inequality linked to racial discrimination in the prison system, which provided less nutritious rations to non-white prisoners, and offered Mandela an opportunity to gain trust with prison guards and wardens. He resourcefully bartered the food he grew for study materials, including the language studies which gave him a voice in the room when it came to prisoner rights, and later, key diplomatic negotiations.
The therapeutic and purposeful act of gardening helped Mandela keep focus, resilience and resolve through nearly three decades of prison. And not only did Mandela’s Garden at Robben Island provide a space for dialogue, political discussion and debates, but it gave cover to hide Mandela’s
original manuscripts while the copies were smuggled off Robben Island. These texts, written collectively by Mandela and his comrades in prison, formed the basis of Long Walk to Freedom, as well as his public speeches and words which have moved the world.
The Princes Park scheme includes a new ‘Freedom Bridge’, pavilion and 32 cylindrical stonework pedestals inscribed with inspirational Mandela quotes, chosen through consultation:
Who designed the Mandela Memorial?
Wayward were commissioned by Mandela8 following an open design commission exercise to develop the Memorial, in consultation with local communities and stakeholders. The commission sought to marry the legacy of Mandela with the heritage of L8 and the grade 2* listed Princes Park designed by Joseph Paxton. The final design has many synergies with Nelson Mandela’s journey:The Memorial will be installed on the island in Princes Park Lake and Nelson Mandela was incarcerated on Robben island for 18 years;The Island was previously connected to the mainland in the Park by a bridge and before the lake improvement in 2020 was often accessible due to low water levels. Nelson Mandela’s life works and struggles were all about building bridges, connecting people and breaking down barriers;The Memorial will be installed in a garden setting and Nelson Mandela established gardens in Pollsmoor prison as it was one of the few things he could control;
The Memorial will be made of limestone and limestone was the stone Nelson Mandela quarried in prison;
How have the community been engaged in its development?
What measures will be put in place to ensure wildlife are protected on the island once the memorial is installed?
Mandela8 have always been open to discussion about the memorial. The memorial will be a place where we expect users to be respectful of the space as a place for cohabitation by wildlife and people. The memorial will be a wonderful space for us to education people about humanity and social justice and peace. It is an outdoor classroom, designed to be used by schoolchildren, so offers significant opportunity to educate young people about the environment and how to protect it and all living things on it.
How has the project been funded?
The memorial has primarily been funded using allocations from planning contributions made by developers (known as section 106 agreements). These contributions are made to improve Liverpool open spaces and allocated by Liverpool City Council to open spaces in the vicinity of contributing developments. In addition Mandela8 have been actively fundraising and have been successful in receiving a Heritage Lottery Grant for their engagement and education programmes and sponsorship and donations from a range of Mandela8 supporters.
What works are being undertaken?
In order to create the final memorial there are a number of activities being undertaken off and on site by specialist contractors. Offsite we have the fabrication of the bridge; the creation of the 32 cylindrical stoneworks; bespoke engraving and the production of the limestone cladding. On site there will be the installation of the foundations; installation of temporary platforms; the siting of the 32 cylinders on the island; installation of the final bridge; stone cladding and paving plus the pathway connections. The entire programme of works is currently estimated at 12 to 14 weeks and takes into account the Mandela week visit to see progress on site and celebrate the commencement of the memorial.
How are you managing construction work in a parks environment?
Throughout the construction the park will be open to the public however there will be a controlled area for the contractors to operate within. This will include the closure of one pedestrian pathway immediately adjacent to the island. There however will remain access for the public through other routes to still complete a full circuit around the lake. The public will not be permitted within the construction area. A similar process was followed for the major improvement works that happened previously, but on a much larger scale.
What about wildlife during the construction?
When working in a park environments contractors have the same controls around creating safe working places and managing impact including waste as they do in any other development. Whilst the installation of the memorial involves several specialist contractors, the construction area will be led by one lead contractor Horticon who will have the overall responsibility for these controls. There are also additional considerations when working in greenspaces. For the installation of the memorial at Princes Park this includes managing works within a heritage park and impact of wildlife. As part of this immediately prior to commencement on site there will be a final full assessment of bird nesting in and around the island given the legal obligation to not disturb nesting birds. This includes establishing a buffer zone around the construction areas and actively monitoring these throughout the works.
What happens when the memorial is complete?
Once construction is complete the memorial becomes park of the public features of the park and is accessible to the public to view and enjoy. Given the aspiration and design of the memorial the intention is that local schools and groups will utilise the space as an outdoor education space. To book this space in the future please search park events at www.liverpool.gov.uk and contact us directly.
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“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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Mandela8 is encouraging the people and businesses of the region to carry out acts of kindness for 67 minutes to mark Mandela Day this July.
Nelson Mandela spent 67 years of his life supporting social justice and human rights before he officially passed the baton to others on his 90th Birthday – on the 18th July – now officially named ‘Mandela Day’ each year. At a special ceremony in Hyde Park, he asked everyone to spend 67 minutes of their time taking part in an act of kindness for someone else.
Mandela8 is now spearheading the ‘My 67 Minutes’ campaign to encourage everyone to take that 67 minutes out of their day to do something special, whether it be for a family member, friend or for their local community.
Sonia Bassey, Chair of Mandela8 said, “The idea of Mandela Day is that everyone has the ability to make an impact and do something in their own way to change the world and the world of those around them. 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 the day itself, which we’ve named Mandela week, from the 12th – 18th July.”
Mandela8 have provided an online brochure of ideas and activities on their website, which can be carried out by individuals, community groups or businesses.
Some of the ideas in the brochure include litter-picks, carrying out jobs for a vulnerable neighbour, and donating to local foodbanks. Those taking part can share their ideas and successes with others online using the hashtag #Mandela8My67 and encourage others to get involved.
“This year we will obviously have to continue to take part in activities that do not risk the spread of coronavirus or break any local restrictions” Sonia continued. “With this in mind, our new brochure has lots of COVID-safe ideas for activities that you and your family members can take part in.”
Mandela Day was officially declared by the United Nations in November 2009, to acknowledge the revolutionary leader’s values and dedication to the service of humanity and struggle for international democracy and peace throughout the world.
The day remembers Mandela’s achievements in working towards conflict resolution, democracy, human rights, peace, and reconciliation.
Liverpool has its own special relationship and connection with Nelson Mandela, dating back to his time in prison. When those in the city became aware of Apartheid – the system of legislation that upheld segregationist policies against non-white citizens of South Africa – and Nelson Mandela’s incarceration, community activists, unions and local people from all walks of life came together to support the Free Nelson Mandela Campaign. Mandela was gifted the Freedom of the City in 1994 and a Civic Reception was held in his honour 20 years later in 2014.
In previous years, iconic buildings across the Liverpool City Region lit up yellow for Mandela Day and Mandela8 are asking everyone to encourage their own place of work to do the same this year.
St George’s Hall was one of the city’s historic buildings included in the line-up; a building which has its own recent links with the Mandela family. A series of prints, drawn by Nelson Mandela himself and known as the ‘Struggle’ series, were gifted to Liverpool for a permanent display in 2018, and now take pride of place in St George’s Hall. Merchandise featuring the designs of the prints have also just been launched via The House of Mandela.
The My 67 Minutes campaign has the support of a host of key figures in the Liverpool City Region, including the newly elected Mayor, Joanne Anderson.
“Liverpool has a long and proud association with Nelson Mandela, from making him a Freeman of Liverpool through to the Mandela8 education and memorial project at Princes Park”, Joanne said. “He selflessly campaigned to make this world a better place for 67 years and we are delighted to be working in close partnership with Mandela8 to ensure his legacy is never forgotten. Many of us lead extremely busy lives but kindness costs nothing and I would encourage everyone to do a little bit on Sunday 18 July, which collectively will make a big difference to the lives of others.”
Sonia added, “Liverpool is built on strong political and social values and has experienced oppression but not on the scale of South Africa. So when awareness of the brutality of Apartheid in South Africa became known in Liverpool, the city united to support Mandela, the ANC and South African people.”
Mandela8’s Mandela Week takes place on week commencing 12th July, with Mandela Day itself taking place on Sunday 18th July 2021 across the world. For ideas on how to get involved in the My 67 Minutes campaign, click here.
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Liverpool Football Club’s first Black player honoured with spectacular mural in his local communityOur 2021 Mandela8 My67 Minutes programme launches today – Tuesday 16th March – with the National Probation Service in Cheshire, Merseyside, Cumbria and Lancs.
We will be hosting a presentation to their Corporate Governance Board and delivery of 600 Long Walk to Freedom books for their clients and their children.
In a few weeks time, Marc Spender will be delivering a programme of 67 minute physical fitness classes to staff and clients, and Grace Pennington will be delivering a series of 67 minute Yoga classes.
Then in May, during Black Inclusion Week 10th -16th May, we will see our My67 Minutes programme delivered across the UK. We have been working with Paul Sesay at Inclusive Companies and a number of inspirational black leaders since the tragic death of George Floyd to make this happen.
Sonia Bassey, Chair of Mandela8, said “We started this programme in 2018 when we came back from South Africa. We said we wanted to bring it back to the UK. From Liverpool to the UK in 4 years.”
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” …Nelson Rolihalahla Mandela
(Photo: David McTague)
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Liverpool Football Club’s first Black player honoured with spectacular mural in his local community Ahead of Mandela Day this coming Saturday, Liverpool charity, Mandela8 have announced Dawn Butler, MP for Brent Central, as their newest patron.
The first ever elected African-Caribbean woman to become a Government Minister in the UK, Dawn ran a hugely successful campaign in 2015, winning her vote with a majority of nearly 20,000; giving the largest vote swing in England at the time.
The former Shadow Minister for Women & Equalities has twice been awarded by the Patchwork Foundation as the People’s Choice Labour Party MP of the Year and again as Overall MP of the Year. Dawn is a member of the House of Commons Science & Technology Select Committee, Chair of the APPG for Jamaica and APPG for Governance & Inclusive Leadership. Dawn was previously appointed as the Minister for Young Citizens & Youth Engagement at the Cabinet Office by Prime Minister Gordon Brown becoming the first ever African-Caribbean woman to serve as a Government Minister.
The announcement comes as Mandela8 – the organisation behind the new Nelson Mandela memorial in Princes Park, which will also feature an outdoor classroom – are marking ‘Mandela Week’ this year with their annual ‘My 67 Minutes’ campaign (sponsored by Torus Foundation, Platinum Sponsors for the previously scheduled visit from the Mandela Family), which aims to bring people together through acts of kindness and community cohesion.
Last year’s programme reached over 230,000 young people across the Liverpool City Region, Chester and Warrington with hundreds of volunteer hours being recorded across communities in the North West.
The charity is also in its final week of crowdfunding to support the city’s most vulnerable during lockdown with food parcels, hygiene packs and art activities for young children.
Dawn said:
“It is an honour to become a Patron of Mandela8 and to work with them to create a lasting memorial to the legendary Nelson Mandela in Liverpool. Mandela inspired me, just as he inspired so many around the world after spending 27 years in prison so that black people can have equal rights and votes and to end the brutal apartheid regime. It is upon his shoulders on which I stand. I hope that this memorial and Mandela’s story serves to inspire a new generation to campaign against racial injustice in the UK and beyond in the fight for equality and equity.”
Chair of Mandela8, Sonia Bassey said:
“Dawn is a Windrush child, as many in our communities are, and she has worked hard from a young age to achieve what she has in Parliament and she has a deep rooted commitment to challenging inequality. I’m delighted that the first Black woman to speak from the dispatch box and the first ever elected African Caribbean women to serve in Cabinet has agreed to become a patron for Mandela8. We cant wait to welcome her back to Liverpool”.
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Liverpool Football Club’s first Black player honoured with spectacular mural in his local communityDr Maki Mandela, daughter of Nelson Mandela, sends Mandela8 a message for Mandela Week 2020 and this year’s #My67Minutes campaign.
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Liverpool Football Club’s first Black player honoured with spectacular mural in his local communityMandela8 are delighted to announce Kim Johnson, MP for Riverside, as our newest patron.
Kim, Liverpool’s first Black MP, was born and grew up in Liverpool 8 and still lives in her constituency. Becoming politically active as a teenager, attending rallies and demonstrations, fighting racism and fascism, Kim is a lifelong trade unionist committed to fighting for social justice for all her constituents.
Kim said: “I am honoured to have been asked to become a Patron of Mandela 8, and delighted to accept. Nelson Mandela and his battle for freedom and justice was hugely significant to the Toxteth community especially.
Commemorating his legacy by providing educational and leadership opportunities to future generations embodies the spirit of the anti-apartheid movement and I am proud to join with them in making dreams a reality.”
16/09/2024
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Liverpool Football Club’s first Black player honoured with spectacular mural in his local communityMandela8 Community Heritage Project Manager
£22,500 (90 days @ £250)
12 month fixed term
We are seeking to appoint a freelance individual or organisation to undertake a major piece of work, uncovering and revealing key elements of Liverpool 8’s community heritage with a particular focus on activism during the years of the anti-apartheid struggles and on local people’s connections to with Grade 2 listed Princes Park.
The successful candidate will work closely with individuals, schools, youth and community groups, housing and faith groups, cultural organisations and National Museums Liverpool and our Young Media Group Project Manager when appointed to develop and disseminate stories of heritage, legacy and education.
We are looking for someone who is friendly and approachable, self-motivated and productive and able to demonstrate they have an appreciation of the culture and heritage of Liverpool 8 and a commitment to ensuring community voices are heard.
Please email all applications to mandelaliverpool8@gmail.com
Deadline for applications: 8th May 2020
Download the Brief and more information on the ‘Download’ link below
16/09/2024
News Story
Mandela8 Chair to receive an Honorary Fellowship from Liverpool John Moores University04/07/2024
News Story
Liverpool Encouraged To Take Part In ‘Acts Of Kindness’ To Celebrate Mandela Day This July15/03/2024
News Story
A new mural of a community champion and photographer has appeared in Liverpool13/11/2023
News Story
Mandela8 Announce Newest Trustee Following Completion Of Memorial In Liverpool07/11/2021
News Story
Collective of Black Organisations and Allies in Support of Mayor Joanne Anderson08/07/2021
News Story
Region’s Residents And Businesses Urged To Carry Out ‘Acts Of Kindness’ For Mandela Day01/10/2020
News Story
LFC and England international, Trent Alexander-Arnold becomes Patron of Mandela814/07/2020
News Story
First elected African-Caribbean female Government Minister becomes Mandela8 Patron19/11/2024
Uncategorised
Liverpool Football Club’s first Black player honoured with spectacular mural in his local community