Mancham Specially Honoured by Mandela Rhodes Foundation
(Cape Town) - SEYCHELLES founding President, James R. Mancham and his wife, Catherine, were exceptionally honoured yesterday (Thursday, 21st May) when they were received for morning tea at the Cape Town home of Nelson Mandela by none other than the late President's housekeeper Ms Sheila Naidoo.
From left to right: Ms Sheila Naidoo, Sir James, Lady Mancham,
Mr Shaun Johnson and Mr Peter Smith
The Manchams were accompanied by Mr Shaun Johnson and Mr Peter Smith, Marketing Director of the Eden Island project and his wife, Jill.
Later on, they paid a visit to the headquarters of the Mandela Rhodes Foundation where Mr Johnson presented them with an authenticated copy of a special print of Nelson Mandela by the famous South African artist, Michael Reivard.
In February 2002 the Rhodes Trust entered into a partnership with Mr Mandela to establish the foundation with the central purpose of building exceptional leadership capacity in Africa whilst seeking to foster better reconciliation and entrepreneurship.
"It has been the greatest privilege of my working life to be given the task of building this foundation, in the name of Nelson Mandela and in partnership with the famous Rhodes Scholarships to seek out and nurture the next generations of excellent, ethical African leaders," Mr Johnson declared during an address welcoming Sir James and Lady Mancham at a special luncheon hosted for them at the Taj Hotel which was attended by several Mandela Rhodes scholars.
Mr Johnson said that it was only fitting that the foundation extended a special and hearty welcome to the Seychelles founding President for the reconciliatory role he has played in his country and the reconciliatory mission he has embarked upon internationally.
He said since its inception there has been over 500 young Africans who have graduated to become Mandela Rhodes Scholars and that these young Africans came from some 15 African nations which included a recent recruit from Mauritius and that the foundation was looking forward to having a Seychelles citizen join the exclusive Club. He described the characteristics sought in a Mandela Rhodes Scholar:
Aspire to be a Mandela Rhodes scholar if you dream of being a leader; a leader in whose brand of intellect Africa will take pride.
Aspire to be a Mandela Rhodes scholar if you understand education to be both a gift and a tool for the advancement of human development, to the benefit of all.
Aspire to be a Mandela Rhodes scholar if you believe in an entrepreneurial spirit to allow Africa to take with dignity its rightful place as an equal and competitive presence in the global world.
Aspire to be a Mandela Rhodes scholar if you believe in reconciliation, freedom, peace and prosperity among all human beings, who should share equal citizenship and opportunities in this world.
Sir James, who answered several questions from the panel of scholars attending the lunch said that he was highly honoured by the welcome and courtesies provided because he has always been a great admirer of the principles President Mandela stood for - the principles of forgiveness, peaceful co-existence and statesmanship.
For more information on the foundation see www.mandelarhodes.org.
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