Nelson Mandela’s sporting legacy inspires Africa’s call to empower youth through sport

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Nelson Mandela’s enduring belief in the unifying power of sport continues to shape Africa’s development narrative. A new pan-African tribute, led by the Youth Charter, honors Madiba’s legacy and issues a powerful call to action for governments, sports bodies, and young people across the continent.

Nelson Mandela: Legacy of a Sporting Struggle, Spirit of a Global Call to Action [photo credit: Youth Charter]
Nelson Mandela: Legacy of a Sporting Struggle, Spirit of a Global Call to Action [photo credit: Youth Charter]

This tribute charts Mandela’s journey from his resistance on Robben Island to global moments of unity, including the 1995 Rugby World Cup and 2010 FIFA World Cup. Through these historic events, Mandela demonstrated how sport can heal a divided nation and uplift a continent.

From Madiba’s inspiration to Africa’s systemic action

Marking over 30 years since the founding of the Youth Charter in 1993—coinciding with Mandela’s groundwork for a democratic South Africa—the movement now calls for a continental shift: to turn Mandela’s ideals into tangible systems. At the heart of this transformation is the Community Campus model. Piloted in South Africa, the UK, and beyond, this model fuses sport, arts, and digital tools to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including climate action, youth empowerment, and inclusive growth.

“Sport has the power to change the world… to inspire… to unite people in a way that little else does,” Mandela once said—a mantra that defines the Youth Charter’s renewed direction.

“Youth are not problems to be managed, but leaders to be empowered,” said Geoff Thompson, founder and chair of the Youth Charter. The Africa ‘30’ Report, a centerpiece of the group’s global advocacy, warns against allowing the Sport for Development and Peace (SDP) movement to become disconnected from its ethical and political roots.

Mandela’s legacy, Africa’s responsibility

As trees planted in Mandela’s honor grow in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, they stand as living reminders of the values he stood for—peace, resilience, and leadership. Now, the Youth Charter urges African institutions including the African Union, ECOWAS, SADC, and CAF to scale up efforts that prioritize youth and community-led development through sport.

The full tribute essay, “Nelson Mandela: Legacy of a Sporting Struggle, Spirit of a Global Call to Action,” is available on request and will be distributed across schools, youth organizations, and media platforms across the continent.

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