Haileybury Lecture - Andrew Russell

Nelson Mandela - From village boy to global icon

In this talk, Andrew Russell reflects on growing up under apartheid before exploring Mandela's extraordinary journey from 'village boy to global icon' and how he achieved what many believed was an 'impossible miracle'. Andrew will discuss the key leadership qualities Mandela demonstrated, the methods used in addressing systemic inequality, and the powerful lessons in unity and diversity that can be learned and applied to our own personal and professional lives. 

On 11 February 1990, Nelson Mandela walked out of prison into a South Africa isolated by extreme international sanctions and teetering on the brink of civil war. He faced immense political and personal challenges undertaking the task of uniting a nation fractured by apartheid and went on to draft a new constitution, deliver the country's first free democratic election and achieve a peaceful transfer of power. 

Andrew Russell is the author of 'The Leadership We Need: Lessons for Today from Nelson Mandela' and 'Mandela’s Last Prison Guard', and the editor of the second edition of Christo Brand’s book 'Doing Life with Mandela: My Prisoner, My Friend'.

Doors will open at 7.00 pm.