The Bakalas Support the Legacy of Nelson Mandela

A celebration gala held on Saturday April 27th, marked 100 years since the birth of Nelson Mandela and the 25th anniversary of the first South African democratic elections. The event, held in the National Museum of African American History and Culture, was the culmination of a concerted campaign to celebrate the legacy of his fight for freedom and equality.

The campaign kicked off in the United States on July 18th, 2018, a century after the birth of Nelson Mandela. Its objective was to highlight the global contribution of South Africa’s first black President. His struggle for equality, and social justice, inspires us all to support these still relevant social issues. Mandela deserves much of the credit for the introduction of free elections. He fought against poverty, was committed to the wellbeing of children, and promoted better education.

Mandela’s four official legacy foundations organized the event. Prominent political attendees included former U.S. President Barack Obama with his wife, Ms. Graça Machel, Nelson Mandela’s widow, and former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell. Celebrity guests included Oprah Winfrey, Stevie Wonder, Whoopi Goldberg, Morgan Freeman, Reverend Jesse Jackson, and South African actor Atandwa Kani, who played Nelson Mandela in the film “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom”. Michaela and Zdenek Bakala sponsor events that promote the fight for freedom and the advancement of human rights all over the world. “Respect for freedom and human rights goes hand in hand with personal courage and social responsibility. Even today, it is necessary to promote those values and to remember the legacy of those who personified them. This is why we support the legacy of Václav Havel, who is sometimes referred to as the Nelson Mandela of Eastern Europe. We are proud to have supported this  event commemorating the ideas and contributions of Nelson Mandela.” - Zdenek Bakala. “Our philanthropic motto is Courage, Freedom, Education so Mandela’s belief that education is the most powerful weapon that can be used to change the world, resonates with us,” added Michaela Bakala. The Bakala Foundation joined several leading organizations, such as the Gates Foundation, Bank of America, Ford Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, American Chamber of Commerce, Morgan Stanley, and many others to support this event.