Nelson Mandela with Coca-Cola Company Chairman and CEO, Mr Neville Isdell, announcing the R25-million gift from the company to the Foundation.
(Image: Nelson Mandela Foundation)The Coca-Cola Company and Coca-Cola Foundation combine to deliver a grant of R25-million to support the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
The Coca–Cola Company and the Coca–Cola Foundation today presented a one–time gift totalling R25-million to the Nelson Mandela Foundation (NMF) to support efforts to preserve the Mandela Papers and artefacts resulting from the extraordinary courage and leadership of Mr Nelson Mandela.
The announcement was made in Johannesburg today by Chairman and CEO of The Coca–Cola Company, Mr Neville Isdell, in a meeting with Mr Mandela.
The Coca–Cola contribution will fund three specific initiatives: collating, preserving and exhibiting the records and documentation of the Mandela Papers; historical research and analysis of the life and times of Nelson Mandela; and an annual lecture series promoting the legacy of former President Nelson Mandela.
At the announcement Mr Isdell said, “It is indeed a proud moment for the Company and for me personally to support the Mandela legacy. Mr Mandela’s life has been an inspiration not only to South Africans, but also to people across the globe. Mr Nelson Mandela’s sacrifices and humble and selfless leadership continue to inspire new generations of leaders, far beyond the African continent. This initiative will preserve his legacy and that of his contemporaries into the future and serve to inspire people in decades to come. The Coca–Cola Company hereby pays tribute to Mr Nelson Mandela through this partnership to preserve his papers and memorabilia.”
Mr Mandela said, “We South Africans have emerged from a turbulent past with our nationhood intact and our people at peace. This is due to the efforts of many people, not just one individual. I want to thank the Coca-Cola Foundation for supporting the Memory for Justice Programme at my Foundation, which is being set up to capture and make accessible to the world the lives and times of all those who contributed to this remarkable, peaceful transition.”
The Company has been a long-standing supporter of the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, through, among others, their support for the 46664 HIV/AIDS awareness concerts, the South African Charities Golf Day in London and the Nelson Mandela Invitational Charity Golf Tournament in Cape Town.