Springdales School, Dhaula Kuan, on Saturday marked Nelson Mandela International Day with a special programme commemorating the birth anniversary of South Africa’s first democratically elected President, while also concluding its annual Diversity Week with a renewed emphasis on inclusion, equality and global solidarity.
The event was attended by H.E. Prof. Anil Sooklal, High Commissioner of the Republic of South Africa to India, and Dr Neelistra Singh, scholar, academician and spouse of the High Commissioner, who were the chief guests at the valedictory function.
Welcoming the guests, Dr Jyoti Bose, Chairperson of Springdales Education Society and Director of Springdales Schools, urged students to uphold Nelson Mandela’s ideals by contributing to a more inclusive and equitable society.
She encouraged them to work collectively towards addressing systemic challenges that impede governance and democracy, saying that meaningful change begins with individual responsibility and sustained commitment.
Addressing the gathering, South African High Commissioner Prof. Sooklal lauded the school’s long-standing support for Africa’s struggle for freedom and reflected on Mandela’s enduring belief that “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
He also stressed the importance of forgiveness and compassion, describing them as essential values in a world increasingly marked by conflict and divisions. According to the High Commissioner, embracing these principles remains central to building peaceful and inclusive societies.
The programme featured a multimedia presentation and a documentary on Nelson Mandela’s life and leadership, alongside presentations highlighting Springdales School’s historical solidarity with South Africa’s anti-apartheid movement.
The celebrations concluded with a cultural presentation titled “We Love Africa,” showcasing the continent’s rich cultural heritage through music, dance and artistic performances.
The event also brought to a close the school’s Annual Diversity Week, during which students participated in a range of activities designed to promote diversity, inclusion, mutual respect and acceptance, values that defined Mandela’s lifelong struggle against racial discrimination and injustice.
Observed every year on July 18, Nelson Mandela International Day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2009 in recognition of Mandela’s contribution to peace, democracy, reconciliation and human rights. The day encourages individuals and communities across the world to dedicate 67 minutes of service, symbolising the 67 years Mandela devoted to public service and the fight against apartheid.
Mandela, who spent 27 years in prison for opposing South Africa’s apartheid regime, became the country’s first Black President in 1994 after the end of institutionalised racial segregation. His presidency laid the foundation for national reconciliation and democratic transformation, earning him global recognition as a symbol of justice, equality and human dignity.