Dr. Naledi Pandor Champions ‘Good Trouble’ on Nelson Mandela International Day

New York, UN Headquarters: Dr. Naledi Pandor, Chairperson of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, addressed the United Nations, calling on people worldwide to honour Madiba’s legacy by engaging in “good trouble” to promote justice and equality.

In her speech on behalf of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Dr. Pandor reflected on Mandela’s lifelong achievements, his lasting values, and the vision he had for a world founded on justice, dignity, and shared humanity.

“Mandela was a troublemaker—the kind of good troublemaker the world needs more of today,” Dr. Pandor stated.

“He championed equality and aimed to dismantle a system of oppression that was both convenient and profitable for a select few. Although this system was overcome in South Africa, it persistently lingers worldwide.”

The address also paid tribute to the UN Special Committee Against Apartheid, whose essential work aided South Africa’s liberation, and recognized the 2025 recipients of the United Nations Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize, Brenda Reynolds and Kennedy Odede, as modern-day advocates for justice.

As the United Nations nears its 80th anniversary, Dr. Pandor called for a reformed and more democratic UN, one that can effectively lead the charge for global equity in the future.

“Let us leave here with a renewed sense of responsibility for the contributions each of us must make,” she concluded.

“May the legacy of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela inspire us all to engage in transformative work and to steadfastly pursue his vision of a just society and a fair world.”

Complete speech by Dr. Naledi Pandor, Chairperson of the Nelson Mandela Foundation

President of the General Assembly, Secretary-General, Permanent Representatives, distinguished guests.

I sincerely thank you all for being here today. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to address you.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation expresses its heartfelt gratitude to this esteemed body for allowing us this platform on Nelson Mandela International Day.

President Mandela recognized the crucial role the United Nations played in furthering South Africa’s liberation movement.

The United Nations guided us toward freedom, opposing apartheid not with arms but by employing its significant moral authority against injustice.

Today, we require that same boldness and courage, and as we honour President Mandela, we must remember his words: “It is in your hands.”

So, what is my appeal to each of you today? On this Nelson Mandela International Day, I urge you to make good trouble.

This appeal is rooted in Mandela himself.

While we affectionately refer to him as “Nelson,” his birth name was “Rolihlahla.”

In isiXhosa, Mandela’s native language and one of South Africa’s official tongues, the term Rolihlahla colloquially means “troublemaker.”

Mandela was, indeed, a troublemaker—a good troublemaker that today’s world increasingly needs and one who will be essential for the future.

He fought for equality and sought to dismantle an oppressive system that benefitted a select few; a system that has been defeated in South Africa but remains widespread globally.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation, which I now lead, often receives inquiries about what Mandela would think or do regarding current issues if he were alive today.

We pose the same question ourselves.

In light of my appeal to you today, I ask: What kind of world would he be willing to make good trouble for?

Drawing from his life and teachings, we believe it would be a just world.

A world where justice does not yield to the wealthy or powerful; where progress is collective rather than individual; where benefits and responsibilities are shared equitably; where our privileges and biases do not cloud our judgment; and where personal feelings do not prevent us from doing what is right.

This is the kind of world we need to strive to make good trouble for.

Some may think: I am just an accountant, a teacher, a store manager—what does making good trouble mean for me?

While good trouble expresses itself in various ways based on the individual or institution, allow me to suggest some ways we can embody it in our daily lives.

Firstly, making good trouble means pursuing excellence.

It involves carrying out your responsibilities with dedication, understanding that your efforts contribute to our collective upliftment, regardless of whether anyone is monitoring you or the scale of the action.

What we consider “ordinary” has its own importance; when done to the best of our abilities, it can positively affect others’ lives and enhance processes and systems.

Secondly, making good trouble means continually asking, “How can I create change in my current space?” and acting on the insights that arise from that inquiry.

These principles were at the heart of Mandela’s approach.

He sought excellence in his endeavours and engaged thoroughly with the question of how he could foster change within his surroundings.

This year’s United Nations Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize recipients, Brenda Reynolds and Kennedy Odede, are prime examples of individuals who actively pursue good trouble.

Just last night, I had the honour of unveiling a UN exhibition called ‘Our Shared Humanity in Action,’ which illustrates the crucial role played by the UN Special Committee Against Apartheid in battling Apartheid in South Africa.

Established by the UN General Assembly in 1962, the committee’s work over the decades exemplifies the achievements made possible when people unite to advocate for global equity.

It showcases what can happen when diplomats, like those present today, rise to the occasion and dedicate themselves to uplifting those in need, acknowledging that while they may not share a nationality, they do share humanity.

The fight for freedom in South Africa was grounded in good trouble, and while pursuing global equity today involves diverse efforts, one vital requirement is a stronger, reformed, and competent United Nations.

Pursuing good trouble in the world will only grow more challenging if internal UN structures remain undemocratic.

This must be addressed for the global community’s sake and for the UN’s credibility.

As we celebrate 80 years of the UN, let us strive to build a better future for the next 80 years.

When Mandela first attended the United Nations, he noted that during sessions, people would approach him and shake his hand, compelling him to rise and reciprocate while seated. However, some delegation members found this disruptive and advised him to return to his hotel.

No one has asked me to leave yet, so I believe I’m doing alright. Just to clarify, this is not the kind of good trouble I’m referencing.

Yet, I am also reminded of the weight Mandela bore during his first visit to the UN, given South Africa’s still-ongoing transition to democracy.

One can only imagine the burden he felt, yet also the relief he might have found amidst representatives from various nations committed to international solidarity and support for a free South Africa.

So, let us find solace in our gathering today, but leave with a renewed understanding of the work each of us needs to contribute.

I trust that the memory of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela will continue to motivate us to engage in transformative actions and uphold his vision of a just society and a fair world.

I will conclude my speech today as Mandela ended his address in 1990 to the Special Committee Against Apartheid in this very room.

He remarked: “We also take this opportunity to extend warm greetings to all others who fight for their liberation and their human rights, including the peoples of Palestine and Western Sahara.

“We commend their struggles to you, convinced that we are all moved by the fact that freedom is indivisible, convinced that the denial of the rights of one diminishes the freedom of others.”

I thank you once more for the opportunity to be here with you today. May God bless you all with goodness.

*This article first appeared in our sister publication techfinancials.co.za