Celebrating Madiba: Springdales School spreads message of ‘Ubuntu’

To honour the legacy of Nelson Mandela — who led the fight against racial discrimination and championed unity and compassion — Delhi-based Springdales School celebrated his 107th birth anniversary on Friday by spreading the message of the African philosophy ‘Ubuntu’, which means “I am because we are” or “a person is a person through other people.”

Speaking at the event, Jyoti Bose, Director and Founder Principal of the school, encouraged the students to draw inspiration from Mandela’s life and character. She called Mandela an ‘inclusive leader’, who left an indelible mark on the collective consciousness of the world.

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Anil Sooklal, High Commissioner of the Republic of South Africa, joined Springdales School in celebrating International Mandela Day. He commended the school—guided by the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—for nurturing and spreading the values of ‘Madiba’. Sooklal emphasised the need to embrace Mandela’s ideals to build a more united and compassionate world.

Through articles, cultural and multimedia presentations, the students were motivated to ‘Look at Diversity through the prism of Democracy, Optimistic Leadership, and Compassion’. The tale of the Springdales Africa Club, which was founded in 1971 by Rajni Kumar, Founder of The Springdales Schools, to support the South African fight against apartheid, was also screened during the event.

Cultural events in the grand finale witnessed performances with participants adorned in colorful costumes, representing and celebrating the spirit, rhythm, and unique qualities of people from various African backgrounds through swift and energetic dance movements. The event concluded with the School choir singing the national anthems of South Africa and India — a powerful display of unity and cross-cultural solidarity.