Dr Makaziwe Mandela

Dr. Makaziwe Mandela was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, growing up in Soweto, Johannesburg and is the eldest daughter of Evelyn Mase and Nelson Mandela. After matriculating from High School in Swaziland, she went on to study for her BA degree in Social Work at Fort Hare University in the Eastern Cape, and then her Honours Degree in Sociology at the University of Natal in Durban. 

In 1984, she received a Fulbright Foreign Scholarship and a Fulbright Distinguished Fellowship Award to study at the University of Massachusetts in the US for a Masters in Sociology and a Doctorate in Anthropology. 

She has had a full and varied career that has involved working in several other countries, and holds directorships with Nestlé SA among others. She has presented numerous papers over the years, including the role of women in a changing South Africa. She has been intricately involved in developing a substantial investment portfolio within Nozala, a women’s investment group, and using these funds in the economic upliftment and empowerment of women in South Africa. 

She has worked for a number of academic institutions in South Africa and abroad. She spent a number of years working for the Development Bank of Southern Africa as Executive Manager Corporate Services. Prior to that, she worked for Spoornet as General Manager Human Resources. 

Dr. Mandela previously sat on the Boards of Rand Water Services, Myriad Medical, Envirosev and the Nelson Mandela Foundation. She is also a consultant in training development and life skills at Self Empowerment International. Dr. Mandela is currently the Chairperson of House of Mandela, a business that she started with her daughter Tukwini Mandela in 2010. 

She is also a director of the House of Mandela Family Foundation that was set up in 2017. The ambition of the Foundation is to improve the livelihoods of poor communities and globally advocate for social issues that affect African communities including; HIV and AIDS, education, health, agriculture, women empowerment and promoting alternate energy sectors. 

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are three closely linked values held by many organisations that are working to be supportive of different groups of individuals, including people of different races, ethnicities, religions, abilities, genders, and sexual orientations. Dr Mandela, who has worked in Human Resources, is passionate about DE&I, and is frequently called upon to speak on the importance of it and how it creates tangible benefits for individuals and businesses.

Dr. Mandela subscribes to the idea that people lead change not companies. She is adept at interrogating President Mandela’s style of leadership and how/why it was effective. Fascinated by leadership she is an in demand speaker on the topic especially the concept of Servant Leadership. Servant leadership is a leadership style that prioritises the growth, well-being, and empowerment of employees. It aims to foster an inclusive environment that enables everyone in the organisation to thrive as their authentic self. Whereas traditional leadership focuses on the success of the company or organisation, servant leadership puts employees first to grow the organisation through their commitment and engagement. When implemented correctly, servant leadership can help foster trust, accountability, growth, and inclusion in the workplace.

A tribute to her father, Dr Makaziwe Mandela shares the most definitive portrait of Nelson Mandela to date in her book, ‘Mandela: In Honor of an Extraordinary Life’, revealing the man behind the anti-apartheid movement that changed the world. One of Time Magazine’s Most Important People of the Twentieth Century, Nelson Mandela continues to be a symbol of equality and justice: a Nobel Prize winner, South Africa’s first Black president, and an unrelenting leader in the movement to dismantle racial inequality. Written by his daughter, her story uncovers the family man behind the international peacemaker persona.

This volume presents an extraordinary assembly of historic biography and imagery alongside never-before-published family stories and personal photographs, Nelson Mandela’s letters to friends and family, journal entries written during his incarceration, and a unique collection of rarely seen charcoal drawings and paintings he began at 83 years old. Chapters chronicle Mandela’s childhood growing up in Mvezo, his time in Johannesburg as leader of the African National Congress, the importance of his familial relationships, decades of imprisonment, and his role as president and philanthropist. An enthralling read illustrated by powerful historic imagery, this tome delves into the life of the man that continues to galvanise so many.

Speaking Topics

• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Dr. Mandela challenges traditional paradigms by providing actionable strategies to create truly inclusive environments. Her insights empower organisations to embrace diversity as a driver for innovation and growth.

• Why Differences Matter + Allyship: She emphasises the unique value that varied perspectives bring to the table, advocating for active allyship. Her approach helps individuals and organisations transform differences into collaborative strengths.

• Servant Leadership: Focusing on empathy and empowerment, Dr. Mandela illustrates how leaders can inspire by serving others. Her message encourages a shift from top-down management to a more compassionate, people-first leadership model.

• The Modern Work Place / Authentic Self: Addressing the evolving nature of work, she champions authenticity as a cornerstone of professional success. Dr. Mandela guides audiences in harnessing their true selves to build resilient and innovative teams. She draws on her experience working in HR.

• Female Empowerment / Gender Equality / Economic Freedom: Drawing on personal and global insights, she advocates for equal opportunities and the economic empowerment of women. Her narratives inspire actionable change towards achieving gender parity in all spheres of life.

• Collaboration v Competition: Dr. Mandela explores the balance between collaborative synergy and healthy competition. She offers practical frameworks to leverage collective strengths while maintaining individual excellence.

• Agriculture / Food Poverty & Security / Climate Change: Connecting environmental and socio-economic challenges, she highlights the critical intersections between sustainable agriculture, food security, and climate action. Her insight prompts audiences to think innovatively about addressing global food poverty in an era of climate change.

• Social Justice & Prison Reform: With a focus on systemic change, she sheds light on the urgent need for social justice and meaningful prison reform. Her powerful narrative advocates for restoring dignity and equality to marginalised communities.

• The Importance of Technology in Developing Countries: Emphasising the transformative power of innovation, Dr. Mandela discusses how technology can bridge development gaps. She illustrates how tech-driven solutions can empower communities, stimulate economic growth, and drive sustainable progress.