Celebrating Nelson Mandela’s Legacy Through Choices: A Transformative Educational Experience for Youth in Gauteng

Johannesburg, South Africa – The Choices Board Game, an innovative tool designed to empower young people through responsible and impactful decision-making, joined hands with the Nelson Mandela Foundation (NMF) during the Nelson Mandela Centenary Year in 2018. 

Our journey with the Nelson Mandela Foundation began at their stand held at the Rand Show, every year. Our contribution and relationship with the (NMF) led to us receiving the go ahead to create a customised version of the Choices game titled "Madiba’s Choices" as a tribute to Mandela's legacy, and a part of his centennial year celebrations.  This version of the game was featured as part of Gauteng Province's Youth Week in June 2018, encouraging the youth to reflect on and embody Mandela’s values and choices.

‘Madiba’s Choices’ was deployed during the 18 month long Centenary celebrations during which over 3640 teen learners and teachers from Gauteng Schools played the Choices game. Further in a collaborative effort with community online radio station, the1873fm, AlignEd and Angela James shared Nelson Mandela-inspired game content and interviews with members of the public, spreading Mandela's legacy to a wider audience through radio segments encouraging community engagement.

Partnering with Constitution Hill, the game was featured at events promoting the Mandela Year as well as being the venue for the training of 52 peer educators trained specifically to facilitate the playing the Choices game.

In the final days leading up to Mandela Day, unexpected challenges emerged, including a last-minute venue change. Whilst we were unable to deliver on the envisaged experience, we were able to secure the event at Riverlea Secondary School two days before Mandela Day. On July 18, over 200 Grade 11 learners and student leaders gathered in the school hall. Together with 23 Facilitators, we engaged in an incredible experience where during this powerful interaction learners were provided with the opportunity to explore Mandela’s legacy through discussions and decision-making scenarios inspired by his life.

The impact of the event was deeply felt, with feedback from the school indicated that all participating Grade 11 students passed their year-end exams instead of the expected 54% pass rate for that year. The Choices experience left a lasting impression on students and educators alike, highlighting the power of education in inspiring meaningful and responsible choices.

For the remainder of the centenary year a number of schools and events saw Madiba’s Choices being shared with teens, parents and teachers alike. In addition ongoing radio slots with 1873fm, continued to feature the Mandela legacy, message and influence, engaging guests in discussions about the power of choice in their lives. As the project concluded, the experience underscored the importance of Mandela’s legacy and the value of choice-based learning for South Africa’s youth.

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