Panasonic Partners with the Nelson Mandela Foundation to offer Light

The best way to keep anyone's legacy alive is to live their values.  With the passing of struggle icon Ahmed Kathrada, the question of linking history, legacy and future impact has resurfaced.  Most naysayers believed The Nelson Mandela Foundation would all but whither once Madiba was no longer able to show face and take pics at funding meetings.  Last week I got a chance to speak to Sello Hatang, the CEO of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, after the launch of a partnership with Panasonic Corporation to distribute solar lanterns to non-electrified areas.

Hatang acknowledged before Madiba's farewell, without the towering icon's magic, concerns where real.  However, the youthful CEO says both on a social media level as well as funding level, they've grown by 10% year on year since 2013, the year the former President passed.  There are many keys to sustaining interest and growth but Hatang points to the value of strategic partnerships.

Hatang shares wherever there's a pressing social need aligning with Madiba's values and the foundation's core mission, the opportunity for collaboration exists, particularly in the areas of Poverty, Health Care, Education, Energy etc.  Globally, 1,2billion people are living in areas without electricity, 600million of which are in Africa and Panasonic's 100,000 lanterns aims to inject hope in these dark numbers. The Nelson Mandela Foundation has a firm grasp over community needs, enabling Panasonic to distribute their lanterns to the most needy projects and areas in the region.  The bright lights from lanterns assists in educational activity, medical services and preempting health hazards due to a lack of electricity.

Panasonic has already donated 81,000 units in 19 Countries and 13,000 units in Africa already.  The plan is to accelerate the roll out until 2018.  As Hatang noted, Panasonic will be celebrating their 100th year company founding anniversary and at the same Nelson Mandela would be 100years old- noting the wonderful organic synergy between organizations. As both intensities continue tackling social injustices, you can join them by clicking www.panasonic.co.jp/citizenship/lantern/ also you obtain more info by contacting their global communications at presscontact@gg.jp.panasonic.com

The future certainly looks brighter for South Africa and Africa as Nelson Mandela and other struggle icon's have their legacy sustained with innovative collaborations such as the Lantern Project.