Mandela Impact Forum 2025
From November 20–23, 2025, Cape Town will host the Mandela Impact Forum (MIF), a four-day international gathering designed to bring together young leaders from over 50 countries.
The forum provides a platform for youth to reflect on Nelson Mandela’s enduring legacy while equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and networks to advance social justice, equality, and peace.
The theme, “Honoring Mandela’s Legacy Through Youth Leadership,” emphasizes resilience as a practical quality.
It aims to inspire participants to learn from Mandela’s life and translate these lessons into actionable change in their communities.
Objectives and Impact
The Mandela Impact Forum aims to:
- Strengthen leadership skills and resilience among youth
- Encourage practical action and project-based approaches to social challenges
- Foster cross-cultural understanding and collaboration
- Inspire delegates to translate Mandela’s principles into real-world solutions
Forum Programme
The four-day programme would blend leadership training, cultural experiences, and historical learning.
Key elements include:
- Leadership Workshops: Sessions covering conflict resolution, ethical leadership, and community organizing
- Panel Discussions: Featuring human rights advocates, educators, and social justice leaders
- Networking Sessions: Structured opportunities for participants to exchange ideas, form partnerships, and explore collaborative initiatives
- Cultural Night: A celebration of participant diversity and South Africa’s cultural heritage
- Mandela Legacy Tour: An exploration of Mandela’s life, philosophy, and leadership principles. Participants will engage with the city’s history through guided visits to:
Robben Island, where Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in prison
District Six Museum, documenting the displacement of communities under apartheid
These experiences are designed to connect delegates with the struggles that shaped Mandela’s leadership, providing context for the principles of justice, reconciliation, and community service.
This combination ensures delegates gain practical skills, historical insight, and peer connections that can support long-term impact.
Participation Options
The forum is designed to be accessible to a wide range of applicants.
Applications close on September 20, 2025, with results communicated in the last week of September.
- Fully Funded: 20 places covering airfare, accommodation, meals, local transport, and full event access
- Partially Funded: 30 places covering all costs except international airfare
- Forum Access: 50 places covering meals, event access, and the legacy tour (excluding travel and accommodation)
- Self-Funded: 50 places covering accommodation, meals, local transport, and event access; airfare not included
Eligibility
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Age: 16–50 years
- Nationality: Open to all countries
- Language: English proficiency
- Commitment: Demonstrated passion for leadership and social justice
- Experience: Evidence of leadership potential and community impact
Selection will focus on motivation, leadership qualities, and demonstrated contributions to local or global initiatives.
Through this structure, participants leave with actionable strategies, enhanced leadership capacity, and a broader perspective on global social challenges.
The forum’s design encourages youth to not only gain inspiration but also to develop concrete plans for action in their home communities.
About ECOVAY
ECOVAY is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to developing global leadership among young people.
Its programmes focus on practical leadership development, cross-cultural collaboration, and project-based learning that empowers youth to drive positive change.
By combining immersive experiences, historical perspective, and skill-building, ECOVAY creates platforms where emerging leaders can engage with pressing social challenges and prepare to make sustainable contributions in their communities.
