Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture 2026

17 Jul 2026
01:00pm - 04:00pm
FREE
Location: Kaleide Theatre RMIT University 360 Swanston St Melbourne, VIC(AUS) 3000

RMIT's College of Business and Law Centre for African Engagement, in partnership with Nelson Mandela Day Inc., is pleased to invite you to the ninth Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture on Friday, 17 July 2026.

Portrait of His Excellency Dr Jonathan Thuto Mahlanza

His Excellency Dr Jonathan Thuto Mahlanza, High Comissioner of the Republic of Botswana

International Nelson Mandela Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2009 to honour Mandela's lifelong service to humanity, calling on individuals and communities to serve others and uphold the values of equality, justice and peace.

This year's lecture will be delivered by His Excellency Dr Jonathan Thuto Mahlanza, High Commissioner of the Republic of Botswana, who will speak on:

What would Nelson Mandela say about our current global challenges, and the solutions needed to advance equity, justice and peace?

Register

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25 Jan 2026 - 14 Dec 2026

RMIT City campus

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The Concentric Influences of Sol LeWitt: Foundations, Pivots and Place

05 Jun 2026 - 29 Aug 2026

'The Concentric Influences of Sol LeWitt: Foundations, Pivots and Place' positions Australia at the centre of an ambitious global dialogue on conceptual art, influence and the circulation of ideas. Instigated and directed by Dr Irene Barberis, the project demonstrates how Australian scholarship and curatorial innovation can actively shape international discourse surrounding one of the most influential artists of the twentieth century.

Intercessions: On-Site with Axel Garay

14 Jul 2026 - 09 Aug 2026

Axel Garay's immersive exhibition, 'Intercessions', draws together a suite of multimedia works to consider how the ‘algorithmic age’ is affecting our ability to truly immerse deeply with our world, materials and selves.

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

Learn more about our commitment to Indigenous cultures

Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture 2026