Ryan Dangerfield | Staff Writer | @ryandanger23
Photo Credit: Brooke Morrill | Photo Director | @brookemorrill
Kweku Mandela visited the Utah Valley University on October 9 to speak about his grandfather, Nelson Mandela’s work in South Africa, and his own personal fight to help improve the lives of South Africans and people all across the world.
“Finding that balance between having a healthy lifestyle and helping others is very important. As global citizens, not just a part of Utah, or America, but a part of the world, we have a responsibility and a duty to all find a way to bring social justice to billions of people around the world,” said Mandela.
UVU Student Association, as well as the Peace and Justice Program, helped organize this event and other events like this to help students be empowered to make a difference in the world.
“I hope students will take Kweku’s stories from being empowered by his grandfather, being influenced by the world around him,” said Mallory Wallin, vice president of academic programs. “I hope they see every person can make a difference in the world.”
“I guess I had quite a sheltered childhood [growing up in the U.S.]” #Mandela mande#uvu pic.twitter.com/2HRrGSrRmZ
— UVUReview (@uvureview) October 9, 2014
“We’re trying to spread the message that Africa is rising… And to spread our grandfather’s legacy” #Mandela #uvu
— UVUReview (@uvureview) October 9, 2014
“My grandfather had two simple ideas to make an impact… You needed an idea and you needed intent” #Mandela #uvu
— UVUReview (@uvureview) October 9, 2014
“Everything that he did in his life, and everything he was going to do, needed to be for the best of the people” #Mandela #uvu
— UVUReview (@uvureview) October 9, 2014
“It was only one moment. And we needed thousands if not millions of moments to make change” @kwekumandela on the S. Africa rugby win in 1995
— UVUReview (@uvureview) October 9, 2014
“The time is always right for change. The time is always right to do good.” #Mandela #uvu
— UVUReview (@uvureview) October 9, 2014
“I was profoundly taken aback when I realized how friendly, how poised, people are here [in Utah]” #Mandela #uvu
— UVUReview (@uvureview) October 9, 2014
“What’s important is to know that you can achieve best in you regardless of what people may say or think about you” #Mandela #uvu
— UVUReview (@uvureview) October 9, 2014
“You have to figure out which battles you have to fight within yourself” #Mandela #uvu
— UVUReview (@uvureview) October 9, 2014
“When I say giving back I don’t mean charity. I mean giving back in some small way in your community” #Mandela #uvu
— UVUReview (@uvureview) October 9, 2014
Another part of the today’s summit events included the viewing party for the film, Beyond Right and Wrong; Stories about Justice and Forgiveness, directed and produced by Ms. Lekha Singh, who also spoke.
Mandela’s main profession outside of public speaking is as a filmmaker. He believes filmmaking is a unique way of telling a story, and it gives people a chance to escape the harsh aspects of what is going on in their lives, families, or homes.
Mandela first visited Utah earlier this year, and came away surprised by how friendly, poised, and pure the people are here in Utah.
“One of the highlights of my year was when I came here for the Sundance Film Festival,” said Mandela. “I think this community plays an immense role in not only this region, but the country as a whole.”
Mandela speaks frequently at events all across the world about the life of his grandfather, Nelson Mandela, and what he taught him about life. He said one of the biggest things his grandfather taught him was something he did every day.
“My grandfather always used to take time every day, 30 to 45 minutes, to reflect on where he has been, the people he has met, and what that all meant in his life,” said Mandela. “It is something I have tried to take with me in my life.”
Mandela, and other groups including the United Nations have been working with celebrities in hopes of encouraging the youth of society to get involved with improving the world.
“I think the biggest thing is for celebrities to get their fans, their youth, and their people who follow them to take on this initiative,” said Jerry Deifer Jr., business manager for Mandela. “Take on this global movement.”
Deifer suggested Jay-Z, founder of the Sean Carter Foundation, and Victoria Beckham, having been named the UN Ambassadors for AIDS as celebrities, will engage new people in hopes of continuing to fight for a cause.
Invictus, a film starring Morgan Freeman, was created talking about Nelson Mandela’s presidency in South Africa, as well as the importance of the South African Rugby team.
“My one concern with the movie, Invictus, was Morgan Freeman’s accent. He is Morgan Freeman, and everyone loves Morgan Freeman. However, he did embody the essence of my grandfather, and his playing that role is more than enough,” said Mandela.
