Today the Nelson Mandela Foundation hosted the President of FIFA Gianni Infantino and FIFA's woman Secretary-General Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura at the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory.
“It is with great emotions that I am here in South Africa at the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory at a place that is full of energy, peace and values of Madiba” said a visibly emotional but ecstatic Infantino.
He noted Madiba’s role in using football as a tool for unity and urged the football community and the world to live by his values. “Madiba was able to build and bring people together and I would like to do the same in football” said Infantino who will be completing his first year on the federation’s top job in four days.
President of FIFA Gianni Infantino and FIFA's first woman Secretary-General Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura view Madiba's archive at the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory
He committed FIFA to the fight for social justice and rooting out discrimination in football. Infantino announced that FIFA will be working with the Foundation to honour Madiba next year as part of the Centenary programme.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation Trustees President Kgalema Motlanthe and Tokyo Sexwale, led by the Foundation’s Chief Executive Sello Hatang took the FIFA delegation on a tour of the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory showcasing Madiba’s archive housed at the Foundation.
President of FIFA Gianni Infantino speaks at the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory
Hatang said the Foundation was continuing with Nelson Mandela’s work of creating space for dialogue in pursuit of social justice and strengthening equality in society.
“Football must be a source of hope just as Madiba would have wanted it to be, a tool to help build a world of his dreams”. Said Hatang.
Also in attendance were Premier Soccer League President and Orlando Pirates Chairman Dr Irvin Khoza and sport personalities and journalists.
FIFA leadership is in South Africa to be part of a continent-wide football summit.