#03: Web Summit 2022: Interview with Dr. Siyabulela Mandela, Regional Project Manager at Journalists for Human Rights.

Written by Keyvan Thomsen Bamdej

November 30, 2022 / 7 min. read

Interview with Dr. Siyabulela Mandela, Nelson Mandela's Great-Grandson

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Web Summit connects people & ideas that change the world.

I attended Web Summit, one of the world’s largest tech conferences, representing TechBBQ and Danish media.

Thanks to its size and profile, Web Summit attracts some of the biggest names in the technology sphere. I had the opportunity to interview some of these speakers, who kindly took time from their busy schedules to share insights from their lives and experiences.

In 2022, November 1-4, the conference had over 71,000 attendees from 160 countries.

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A peace and human rights activist, Siyabulela is the Regional Manager at Journalists for Human Rights, where he pivots the operations of the organization and oversees the implementation of regional projects. His focus is on Eastern and Southern Africa. Photo: Keyvan Thomsen Bamdej / Bamdej Communication ApS

Exclusive interview with Dr. Siyabulela Mandela,
Regional Project Manager at Journalists for Human Rights:

Picture of Siyabulela Mandela at WebSummit

“

When I speak up about something, I do it in a constructive way. Because the issues that impact our communities and the world at large, they need to be done in a sensitive manner.

— Dr. Siyabulela Mandela

Regional Project Manager at Journalists for Human Rights

Interview with Dr. Siyabulela Mandela:

Keyvan Thomsen Bamdej:
»A pleasure to meet you here at Web Summit. I was wondering if you ever practice or prepare yourself before going on a big stage such as this one?«

Dr. Siyabulela Mandela:
»I think it's necessary to invest much time on preparation for whatever topic it may be. This means not only when I’m about to engage on stage, but in general. Even though when I enter the stage it’s mostly to reflect about the work that I am currently involved in, i.e., social justice, human rights, and media development. It’s a matter of trying to find ways to structure that work so it’s easy for the audience to consume. Therefore, preparations are of critical importance. Another thing that I’m cognizant about as a speaker is, of course, the expectations of the audience. I mean, the audience at Web Summit are global citizens from different parts of the world who have chosen to come and listen to us speakers, so I, of course want to live up to their expectations.«

Keyvan:
»So, would you say that you are conscious about the spotlight that you are given? If yes, how selective are you when you choose your words on stage?«

Dr. Siyabulela:
»Yes, definitely. Very conscious. Because what we at Journalists for Human Rights (JHR) do is largely within the theory of human rights advocacy, media development and social justice. So, we are in the trade of trying to transform our communities to be more inclusive and more democratic in their practice and in their outlook, so that everyone is afforded equal opportunities. So, that everyone is given access to invest declaration of human rights. Therefore, the manner in which I address even sensitive topics, it's very important because I’m engaging with a global community. There are a lot of issues that they are dealing with, especially if you're talking about issues of social justice. If you're talking about issues of equality, if you're talking about issues of human rights, there is a lot of information that is out there, counter narrative to the client, or a better world that we want to create.«

Keyvan:
»How is this visible?«

Dr. Siyabulela:
»When I speak up about something, I do it in a constructive way. Because the issues that impact our communities and the world at large, they need to be done in a sensitive manner. If we're talking about human rights, for instance, or if we are dealing with issues trying to do an analysis on the conflict in Ukraine, and its implication in the global community, then I ought to be careful not to offend anyone, but at the same time not steer away from the truth.«

Dr. Siyabulela Mandela talking about Human Rights in conflict zones on stage at Web Summit 2022. Photo: Keyvan Thomsen Bamdej / Bamdej Communication ApS

Keyvan:
»Could you give us a brief introduction to your background and the work that you do - in your own words?«

Dr. Siyabulela:
»I work for Journalists for Human Rights (JHR), which is Canada's largest media development organization, based in Toronto. We work in the intersection of human rights advocacy and media development. We believe creating awareness is the most necessary step to ending the abuse of human rights in our global society. By mobilizing the media to spread human rights awareness, our organization informs people about basic human rights. Ultimately, this helps mobilize and empower marginalized communities in unstable undemocratic societies to stand up, speak out, and protect themselves. Especially women and girls.«

Keyvan:
»Sounds interesting. Can you elaborate?«

Dr. Siyabulela:
»So, there are many ways in which we can advance an agenda for human rights. One of them is through mobilizing widespread protests, taking governments into account for their actions, as well as punishing governments in using the ballot during the elections, when they do not respond to the material needs of the people, or respect the rights of certain citizens in that particular country. So, we create influence by working with civil society organizations and local partners to have a lasting impact in the work that we do.«

Keyvan:
»How much of your motivation for these rights derives from your family legacy?«

Dr. Siyabulela:
»So, for me personally, it’s also an extension of my family legacy, from the Mandela family. We are known as people that fought relentlessly against upper regime advancing agenda for social justice, democracy, and human rights in South Africa, and in the African continent in general. In contemporary times, we are also found engaging in sensitive conflicts and topics, such as Israel and Palestine. And it’s also an extension of that legacy and activism that our forefather started and making sure that we are building upon that foundation. I mean, I come from a country where we did not enjoy the Universal Declaration of Human Rights up until 1994, when we saw a dawn of democratic dispensing as a result of the negotiation process between Nelson Mandela, his comrades in the liberations traveling, and the regime in South Africa, which eliminated the dawn of a Democratic dispensation in 1994.«

Keyvan:
»How do these historical events influence your work today?«

Dr. Siyabulela:
»So, coming from that background and legacy, I felt it was some kind of duty to advance an agenda for social justice, human rights, and an equitable inclusive democratic society. Because I have seen both the evil discrimination, segregation, and violent conflicts in my own country. And I have also seen the beauty of forging a sense of reconciliation or fighting for social justice and advancing blossoming democratic governments. So, I’m representing both Journalists for Human Rights, as well as the lineage of human rights activists to broadly continue the work that our forefathers started in an attempt to build upon the foundation that they have laid for us as this generation. The generation of Nelson Mandela, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, and Malcom X have all sacrificed a lot and fought for the limited freedom that we are enjoying today. So, as this generation, it is therefore incumbent to us to attempt to create the better and more just world that they envisioned for themselves and generations to come.«

Dr. Siyabulela Mandela, Nelson Mandela’s Great-Grandson
Dr. Siyabulela Mandela on stage at Web Summit 2022. Photo: Keyvan Thomsen Bamdej / Bamdej Communication ApS

Keyvan:
»So, how does a tech conference such as Web Summit help you in this work?«

Dr. Siyabulela:
»When I engage in global contexts as Web Summit it is to talk about these issues. Web Summit is not only a tech, business, and innovation conference. The organizers also see Web Summit as an opportunity to invite specific human rights activists to talk about social issues, peace, equality, and freedom. To discuss how we can drive our economies and create a fair society for us all.«

Keyvan:
»That’s very powerful. Do you feel more obliged to commit yourself to this type of work, with the background that you have in mind?«

Dr. Siyabulela:
»Yes, it’s a historic obligation and responsibility.«

Keyvan:
»I understand, but could you elaborate?«

Dr. Siyabulela:
»So, this is some of the impact that we're creating. And more predominantly, of course, educating people about what human rights are and what kind of institutions and structures they would fall into. If there are issues of human rights violations, how do you hold the leaders to account? And we're also seeing a change now where civil society organizations have an appetite and an interest to be involved in shaping and driving the change that we want to see in the communities that we work in. We are very active in the African continent, in the Middle East, working in countries such as Syria with Syrian journalists that are based in Turkey and in North Africa. We work in countries such as Tunisia and Mali, and dealing with these issues of social justice, human rights, and media freedom in general.«

Picture of Siyabulela Mandela at WebSummit
A quick backstage profile photo of Dr. Siyabulela Mandela at the interview booth in the Media Lounge. Photo: Keyvan Thomsen Bamdej / Bamdej Communication ApS

Keyvan:
»So, you are not only active in Africa, but in the Middle East as well? How about Iran, have you followed the recent protests and development there?«

Dr. Siyabulela:
»Well, yes, I’m actually very excited about what our fellow young people are doing in Iran. I think they are actually showing the power that the young people have in driving the change that is necessary in our communities. The reason why I'm excited is because in South Africa between 2015 and 2017, we did a similar protest across all 26 universities in South Africa, where we're calling for free education for the poor and decolonization of the education system. We simply shut down our universities. We had a clash with the government, where the police and the military institutions of higher learning were militarized. But we did not stop until the government declared free education for the poor. Because we said, as young people, the only way in which we can address inequality in South Africa is that we offer free education for previously disadvantaged groups as a result of the upper regime.«

Keyvan:
»Oh, wow, that sounds very comparable to the situation in Iran.«

Dr. Siyabulela:
»Yes, so in order to bridge that gap, we said, let's give them free education and enable them to participate equally in the economy of the country, and help elevate their families and communities from the vicious cycle of poverty. So, when I see young people in institutions of high universities in Iran doing a similar act as we did in South Africa, I feel excited about the future. Because Iran and the world are in good hands when young people are able to come together, mobilize despite difficult circumstances under which the Iranian protest was sparked. But it’s still a beautiful and wonderful thing to see young people uniting under one banner and calling for an end to the injustices and, press civil regime in that country. And yes, I know, of course, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has been waging a very violent response to the students. But for me, I would say to the students, the struggle must continue regardless of the difficulties and violence that they confront. Resistance is the only way to bring about the change that is needed in Iran. So, I’m very happy about the movement. And I’ve been following it closely.«

Keyvan:
»So, you care about the protests in Iran because the cause of human rights is close to your heart?«

Dr. Siyabulela:
»Yes, because we did the same thing in 2015-2017, and it shows that the people’s voice matters in all of this, right? When these young, brave Iranian students are in the war zone themselves, it's very important that we encourage them and that we share their stories and struggles on Twitter and other social media platforms.«

Keyvan:
»Would you like to get in touch with the people in Iran who are in charge of the protests?«

Dr. Siyabulela:
»Actually, I’ll be happy to be connected with fellow young leaders in Iran where we can exchange possible ideas on how to continue the fight.«

Web Summit video interview of Siyabulela Mandela 2022

Journalists for Human Rights (JHR) has partnered with more than 400 media organizations in 29 different countries to train over 17,650 journalists whose human rights stories have reached over 76 million people.

Web Summit video interview of Siyabulela Mandela 2022

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