Why Global Citizens Should Care 
On the year that marks 100 years since Nelson Mandela’s birth, it’s more important than ever to explore how each of us can take action to continue his legacy, and pursue his dream of ending to extreme poverty. Join the movement by taking action here to help end poverty. 

What would do you do to continue Nelson Mandela’s legacy?  

That’s the question behind ridesharing company Uber’s campaign #DriveChange — which works to inspire people to follow in the footsteps of one of the world’s greatest leaders. 

The campaign hopes to inspire individuals across South Africa to realise that we all have the power to have a positive impact on our communities.

As part of the campaign, Uber driver-partners across South Africa have been sharing their #MandelaMoments, their ideas about what Mandela stood for, and how his activism changed South Africans' lives for the better. 

“To me, Madiba means strength, perseverance, faith,” says one driver-partner, Sifiso, in Uber’s video. “He was a man who had a vision for this country, and he stuck to his vision. So it means if you have a vision as a person, if you get stuck to it, you can achieve it.” 

Stephen, another driver-partner, adds: “A true hero who managed to unite a country when unity didn’t seem at all possible.” 

And, according to driver-partner Simangele: “He was selfless. He didn’t care what he was going through, but to carry to vision forth, to save others.” 

In July, on the year that marks 100 years since Mandela’s birth, Uber invited over 100 drivers to attend the Annual Nelson Mandela lecture in Johannesburg, South Africa. 

And for those who weren’t able to attend the lecture, Uber livestreamed the event across all five of its Greenlight Hubs in South Africa, so that everyone could be a part of the experience. 

“Encouraging our communities to participate in initiatives that seek to continue and promote Nelson Mandela’s legacy through involvement in their communities,” said the company.

The late statesman and icon, Mandela, was known for advocating for change. His most cherished ideals included a democratic and free society, where all people were have equal opportunities, according to a speech Mandela made in 1998. 

In his speech, Mandela spoke about prioritisingaccess to basic services like clean water, electricity, health care, a decent education, and housing for South Africans. All resources they didn’t have access to when the apartheid government was still in power.

“Our Alliance [the ANC’s partnership with the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the South African Communist Party] has been the driving force on our path to freedom and a just society,” said Mandela in the speech. “As long as it remains strong and united it will keep our country on the path of change. Above all it will help to ensure that the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable come first.”

Uber in South Africa, by sharing the #DriveChange stories, hopes to inspire people to do good for others, and to inspire a culture of giving, active citizenship, and being a service to others.

“Every day, driver-partners in South Africa continue [Mandela’s] legacy, by continuously bettering their lives for an even better tomorrow,” says Uber. 

Uber in South Africa has partnered with Global Citizen and will be driving guests attending Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100, presented and hosted by the Motsepe Foundation, taking place this Sunday at Johannesburg’s FNB stadium. 

If you’re attending Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100, you can find out more about all the best ways to travel to FNB Stadium — including Uber — here.

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Uber Drivers Are Sharing Their #MandelaMoments to Inspire Everyone to Continue His Legacy

By Thato Mahlangu