Antonio Guterres Honors Mandela Legacy at UN Celebration with Brenda Reynolds and Kennedy Odede

In a poignant ceremony marking Nelson Mandela Day, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres honored the legacy of the late South African leader while celebrating the 2025 recipients of the Nelson Mandela Prize. Guterres emphasized Mandela's enduring message of reconciliation, peace, and unity, urging global leaders to embrace these values in their efforts to combat oppression and inequality.

Guterres highlighted Mandela's life as a testament to the power of collective action, stating, "Power is about lifting others up." He underscored the importance of community-driven initiatives in fostering change, drawing parallels between Mandela's legacy and the achievements of this year's prize winners, Brenda Reynolds and Kennedy Odede.

Reynolds, a social worker from Canada, has been a pivotal force in addressing the trauma faced by survivors of the residential school system. Her work has transformed the national conversation around child welfare and healing. Odede, a community activist from Kenya, founded an organization that provides essential services to over 2.4 million people, demonstrating the impact of grassroots efforts in improving lives.

Both laureates embody Mandela's belief that "what counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived, it is what difference we have made to the lives of others." Guterres congratulated them on their well-deserved recognition, reinforcing the idea that their work reflects the spirit of Mandela's commitment to social justice.

As the United Nations approaches its 80th anniversary, Guterres called for a renewed global commitment to the principles of freedom, justice, and equality that Mandela championed. He warned that human rights and dignity are increasingly under threat from various global challenges, including conflict, climate change, and systemic inequalities.

In conclusion, the ceremony served not only as a tribute to Mandela's legacy but also as a rallying cry for continued action towards a more just and equitable world, urging all to follow the path of service and progress that Mandela exemplified.