Mandela International Day

We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference.
- Nelson Mandela

The overarching objective of Mandela Day is to inspire individuals to take action to help change the world for the better, and in doing so build a global movement for good. Ultimately it seeks to empower communities everywhere. “Take Action; Inspire Change; Make Every Day a Mandela Day.”
Individuals and organisations are free to participate in Mandela Day as they wish. We do however urge everyone to adhere to the ethical framework of “service to one’s fellow human”.


[More details here]

"Winnie Madikizela-Mandela did her field work in Johannesburg’s Alexandra Townships at Entokozweni Family Health and Welfare Centre under the watchful eye of my mother Polina, who was the head Social worker there. This exercise brought Winnie close to my family. In 1984 when she was banished to the remote town of Brandfort, my father Selema Thomas went to visit her against the wishes of the government of Apartheid. He paid for it later with the endless interrogations and raids on his house.

However, when Mrs. Mandela went on her routine visits to her husband who was at the Pollsmoor Prison, she told him about my father’s visits and what he had told her about my sister Barbara and I. On my 46th Birthday April 4th 1985, Nelson Mandela sent me a letter that was smuggled out of prison wishing me good luck with the recording projects and the School of Music we had started in Botswana. He conveyed warm wishes to my family and greetings to the Kalahari Band I was working with, plus many more good tidings.

I was intensely moved by the fact that a man who has been imprisoned for over twenty years could have so much passion and regard for the work that was being done by some musicians in a small town in Botswana. It brought tears to my eyes. His confidence about our imminent liberation was overwhelming. His dedication humbled me and the letter was most flattering.

This song came to me there and then and remains a classic forever, just like the man. We recorded it with Kalahari in 1986 in London as part of the album called “Tomorrow”. When Mandela was released in 1990, the song became a reality and was played as background music on many of his visits to the large cities of America during television broadcasts. It remains a favourite with American and European audiences."

Hugh Masekela



Bring Him Back Home (Nelson Mandela)

We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference.
- Nelson Mandela

The overarching objective of Mandela Day is to inspire individuals to take action to help change the world for the better, and in doing so build a global movement for good. Ultimately it seeks to empower communities everywhere. “Take Action; Inspire Change; Make Every Day a Mandela Day.”
Individuals and organisations are free to participate in Mandela Day as they wish. We do however urge everyone to adhere to the ethical framework of “service to one’s fellow human”.


[More details here]

"Winnie Madikizela-Mandela did her field work in Johannesburg’s Alexandra Townships at Entokozweni Family Health and Welfare Centre under the watchful eye of my mother Polina, who was the head Social worker there. This exercise brought Winnie close to my family. In 1984 when she was banished to the remote town of Brandfort, my father Selema Thomas went to visit her against the wishes of the government of Apartheid. He paid for it later with the endless interrogations and raids on his house.

However, when Mrs. Mandela went on her routine visits to her husband who was at the Pollsmoor Prison, she told him about my father’s visits and what he had told her about my sister Barbara and I. On my 46th Birthday April 4th 1985, Nelson Mandela sent me a letter that was smuggled out of prison wishing me good luck with the recording projects and the School of Music we had started in Botswana. He conveyed warm wishes to my family and greetings to the Kalahari Band I was working with, plus many more good tidings.

I was intensely moved by the fact that a man who has been imprisoned for over twenty years could have so much passion and regard for the work that was being done by some musicians in a small town in Botswana. It brought tears to my eyes. His confidence about our imminent liberation was overwhelming. His dedication humbled me and the letter was most flattering.

This song came to me there and then and remains a classic forever, just like the man. We recorded it with Kalahari in 1986 in London as part of the album called “Tomorrow”. When Mandela was released in 1990, the song became a reality and was played as background music on many of his visits to the large cities of America during television broadcasts. It remains a favourite with American and European audiences."

Hugh Masekela



Bring Him Back Home (Nelson Mandela)