LA EVENTS: Sibongile Mkhabela of Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital to Speak at Pepperdine University

LOS ANGELES, November 3, 2011 – The CEO of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital (NMCH), Mrs. Sibongile Mkhabela, will present the Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP) Diversity Council Lecture “Giving Voice and Dignity to the African Child.” She will speak about the development of Nelson Mandela’s legacy and how it was shaped by his remarkable life. Mkhabela will also address the state of child healthcare, the future of medicine in Africa, and her long-time friendship with His Excellency Nelson Mandela.

Pepperdine University will be the first stop on Mkhabela’s tour of the West Coast – her very first visit to the western United States.  She will be accompanied by Ms. Nana Magomola, a Trustee of the NMCH and Chair of the Human Resources Committee.

Mkhabela is scheduled to open NMCH in 2012.  In a continent that has only four hospitals dedicated to children, this serves as a significant milestone.  NMCH will be at the forefront of protecting the human right of every child to receive the best medical care available regardless of social or economic status.

Mkhabela gained worldwide visibility in 2001 with the release of her book Open Earth and Black Roses, which depicted her personal story of the Soweto Uprising in June 1976.  Mkhabela has a wealth of experience in development issues nationally and internationally, from her work in senior positions at the United Nations Development Program, the United Nations Education Program in South Africa and the South African Counsel of Churches. Mkhabela served in the office of the then Deputy President Mbeki as programs director responsible for overall programming, with specific responsibility for NGO/Government partnerships and children’s programs.

The presentation will take place on Thursday, November 3, 2011 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Pepperdine University West Los Angeles Campus.

This is a free event open to the public, but reservations are required.  To RSVP, visithttp://gsep.pepperdine.edu/diversity-speaker-series

This event is hosted in part by Operation of Hope.

The Diversity Council Speaker Series was developed by the council to provide a forum for representatives of varied backgrounds and views to speak on multicultural issues impacting the community and which affect the fields of education and mental health.