Kweku Mandela: Making an Imprint on Society
Darrel L. Hammon
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| Kweku Mandela |
It’s not everyday a member of Nelson Mandela’s family
arrives on your university’s campus. That happened on October 9, 2014 at Utah
Valley University (UVU) as part of UVU’s “Summit: The Sustainable Mountain Development
and Conflict Transformation Global Knowledge and Action Network.” The Peace and
Justice Studies program and UVU Student Association Senate sponsored the event.
(For more information, please go to http://blogs.uvu.edu/newsroom/2014/10/01/grandson-of-nelson-mandela-to-speak-at-uvu-oct-9/.)
Kweku Mandela, grandson of the famed South African leader
Nelson Mandela, arrived, dressed in an untucked blue, long-sleeve shirt and
jeans. While his clothes did not define him during his presentation, Kweku’s
work and words did.
Soft-spoken, yet energetic and poised, Kweku spoke about his
cousin Ndaba Mandela and him meeting for the first time and becoming instantly
best friends. Kweku actually grew up in the U.S. but returned to South Africa
where he and his cousin are creating their own legacy under the auspices of
their incredible grandfather’s legacy. They founded Africa Rising Foundation “to
contribute to the development of the African continent” (http://arfoundation.co/). Their mission is
to be a “conduit for the New African Generation that is committed
to promoting Africa through a series of campaigns that address the
continent’s socio-economic challenges” (http://arfoundation.co/#about).
Kweku also spoke about founding and being a partner in Out of Africa Entertainment, “an
entertainment group committed to producing projects that portray Africa in a
more positive light and challenge the prevailing perceptions of the country… through
publications, films, media and social interaction to create a heightened sense
of pride and purpose in young Africans” (http://blogs.uvu.edu/newsroom/2014/10/01/grandson-of-nelson-mandela-to-speak-at-uvu-oct-9/).
One of the major challenges facing today’s world, according
to Kweku, is uncertainty. In Nelson Mandela’s world uncertainty was a way of
life, including his almost three decades of being incarcerated. But he didn’t
just give up. Instead, he rose above his uncertainty and became a leader of a
greater movement.
Kweku talked about his grandfather and the imprint he left
on him and his family, particularly his cousins with whom he works now. Part of
the “social good,” he said, “is leaving your imprint on society and your
community.” It was Nelson Mandela who said, “Our
human compassion binds us the one to the other - not in pity or patronizingly,
but as human beings who have learnt how to turn our common suffering into hope
for the future.” Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/n/nelson_mandela.html#PjQcugusFEvjekmb.99.)
And Kweku ‘s hope for the future is to help others
“change their narrative.”
One of the students at the forum asked about the significance of the World Cup in South Africa. He said it was one of those moments of great significance to showcase what the legacy of the good that has been done. But, he said, “The World Cup was one moment, but we need thousands of more moments.”
Interestingly, he spoke about the people in Utah. His
remarks were not just merely words to appease Utahans. Rather, they were
heart-felt. He said, “The people of Utah are poised and pure. You have a
religion that helps people.” He asked those who were “Mormons” to raise their
hands. Numerous people thrust their hands high into the air. Then, with
conviction he counseled, “When you introduce yourselves, you should say, ‘Hi,
my name is…., and I am a Mormon.”
Kweku mentioned that that Utah is one of the most giving
states and not just in giving money or volunteering. Each day we must
“challenge ourselves everyday to determine which battles you want to battle and
find unique ways to come together.”
He stopped for a moment and looked out over the audience,
and in his quiet unassuming way, he stated “Each of us has the capacity and
seed for greatness.” Kweku has taken this statement to heart and exuded his
capacity for greatness. His mantra of “power of words” pushed us to think more
about ourselves and reflect what imprint we are making on our society, our
communities, and our families.
Kweku’s moment with UVU faculty and staff was one of those
moments that we need more of. Indeed, we all learned that “ultimately, the
purpose in life is to give back—in some small way.” He inspired us to “take
moments each day to improve relationships and to help others.”
Kweku's grandfather Nelson Mandela would have been proud!
