Mandela Climate Justice Award
The Mandela Climate Justice Award honors bold, visionary leaders who ignite hope and empower communities in the fight for a just, fair, and livable planet for all.
"I dare not keep quiet."
If my grandfather had kept quiet about the injustices committed against our people, we wouldn't be where we are today
We must fight climate apartheid
To honour my grandfather Nelson Mandela's legacy
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Mandela Climate Justice Award
The Mandela Climate Justice Award honors bold, visionary leaders who ignite hope and empower communities in the fight for a just, fair, and livable planet for all.
"I dare not keep quiet."
If my grandfather had kept quiet about the injustices committed against our people, we wouldn't be where we are today
We must fight climate apartheid
To honour my grandfather Nelson Mandela's legacy
Previous slide
Next slide

Welcome to the Mandela Award for Climate Action

The Mandela Climate Justice Award honors individuals who dare to imagine a better world—those who refuse to accept the status quo and are determined to shape a more equitable, just, and inclusive future in the fight against climate change.

We seek climate “Rolihlahlas” or “troublemakers”

the fearless disruptors and visionary changemakers pioneering justice-driven climate action. The ones with the courage not to keep quiet.

An annual award celebrating individuals who embody the spirit of "Ubuntu"

Ubuntu is a philosophy central to Nelson Mandela’s leadership. Rooted in the belief that our humanity is bound together through shared responsibility and compassion, Ubuntu calls for community-driven change, idealistic pragmatism, moral courage, and an enduring hope for a better world.

Mandela personified these values, now Ndileka Mandela carries them forward.

Ndileka believes that the fight for planetary justice centers on shared responsibility, empathy and the interconnectedness of our communal, societal, environmental and spiritual worlds.

Our Mission

The award seeks to celebrate and empower extraordinary climate champions, equipping them with the recognition, resources, and platform to drive their groundbreaking work forward. We aim to amplify their impact and inspire immediate action toward a future where climate action and justice are inseparable.

Honoring Action

Recognizing those on the frontlines.

Inspiring Change

Creating meaningful impact that shifts systems.

Championing Justice

Advancing equity, resilience, and hope for all.

Ndelika's Story and Vision

For over two decades, Ndileka Mandela served as an intensive care nurse in South Africa’s rural Eastern Cape. Immersed in the everyday struggles and resilience of her community, she cultivated a vision for transformative change—one that prioritized justice, dignity, and opportunity for all.

Her personal pain as a survivor of sexual violence deeply shaped this vision, which became the driving force behind the establishment of the Thembekile Mandela Foundation.

Ndileka emerged from that experience a determined and powerful advocate for women’s rights, addressing issues like gender-based violence, rural development, access to education healthcare, and, eventually, climate change—a crisis she recognized as exacerbating the very injustices and suffering she had dedicated her life to eradicating.

Inspired by her grandfather Nelson Mandela’s enduring legacy, Ndileka became a leading voice for climate justice, drawing attention to how marginalized communities—particularly in the Global South—bear the brunt of the crisis. She amplified the call for urgent, equitable climate action, adopting and championing Desmond Tutu’s concept of “climate apartheid” to emphasize the disproportionate suffering endured by women, indigenous communities, and youth.
The Mandela Climate Justice Award honors individuals who dedicate their lives to creating a more equitable, humane, and healthy planet. It celebrates leaders who, like Ndileka, act with courage and compassion, transforming their communities’ struggles into strength—turning pain into power—and working tirelessly to build a world free from environmental and social injustices.[Learn more about the founder’s history and vision here]

Inaugural Launch at Faith For Our Planet’s Global Summit

The Mandela Climate Justice Award will be inaugurated at the Faith For Our Planet Global Summit at the European Parliament on February 6, 2025. This landmark event will convene over 150 global climate leaders, grassroots activists, and visionaries for a historic dialogue on values-based climate partnerships. It is here that, for the first time, this prestigious award will be presented to recognize outstanding leadership in climate justice.

Visit the Global Summit Website