08/02/2026
MEDIA ADVISORY
MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING, MR Buti Manamela , TO LEAD AND HOST THE ANNUAL MANDELA–SOBUKWE LEADERSHIP CAMP 2026 AT ROBBEN ISLAND, CAPE TOWN
TO ALL MEDIA
05 FEBRUARY 2026
The Mandela–Sobukwe Leadership Camp 2026 is scheduled to take place at Robben Island, Cape Town, from 10–15 February 2026.
As the host of the students who are being trained in leadership, Honourable Minister Manamela, will join the camp on Friday, 13 February 2026. At this engagement, the Minister will engage with student leaders in a dedicated session focusing on the leadership styles of Nelson Mandela and Robert Sobukwe.
Launched in 2023 by then Deputy Minister Manamela, the Mandela–Sobukwe Leadership Camp is an annual initiative aimed at nurturing leadership among young people and empowering them to shape the future of the nation. The programme equips youth with the skills, values, and resilience required to address pressing societal challenges, including gender-based violence, mental health concerns, safety issues, health epidemics, skills shortages, and broader socio-economic challenges.
The camp seeks to foster leadership development among young aspiring student leaders. The camp provides a platform for participants to converge, exchange innovative ideas, and collaboratively explore solutions to challenges confronting South African youth.
Other distinguished leaders facilitating sessions during the Leadership Camp include:
• Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture – Honourable Mr Gayton McKenzie (TBC)
• Speaker of the National Assembly – Honourable Ms Thokozile Didiza
• Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training – Dr Mimmy Gondwe
• Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training – Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube
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MEDIA INVITATION DETAILS
Day 2 – Wednesday, 11 February 2026
Venue: Robben Island, Cape Town
11:30 – 13:00
Address on “Managing Self in Leadership”
Led by – Dr Mimmy Gondwe, Deputy Minister for Higher Education and Training
Day 3 – Thursday, 12 February 2026
Venue: Robben Island, Cape Town
10:10 – 11:10
Address on “Managing Diversity in a Leadership Role”
Led DM Nomusa Dube-Ncube Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube
Day 4 – Friday, 13 February 2026
Venue: Robben Island, Cape Town
11:00 – 11:30
Address by the Speaker of the National Assembly
Honourable Ms Thokozile Didiza
13:30 – 16:00
Minister’s Leadership Camp Led by Honourable Minister of Higher Education and Training – Mr Buti Manamela
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Members of the media are kindly requested to RSVP with Nashveer Nemesar by no later than Monday, 09 February 2026 at 10:00, to allow arrangements for ferry transport to Robben Island.
ENQUIRIES:
Ms Matshepo Seedat
Spokesperson to the Minister
082 679 9473 (WhatsApp)
Mr Nashveer Nemesar
Head of Communications
066 258 8714
Higher Health SA
ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING
