Keynote Speaker Bios
Kweku Mandela-AmuahKweku Mandela-Amuah is a producer, director, and social entrepreneur. Through his production company, Out of Africa Entertainment, he has undertaken various film ventures in South Africa. In 2011, Kweku produced the feature film “The Bang Bang Club”, based on the acclaimed novel. Previously, Kweku partnered with Oxfam Australia and Make Poverty History on several projects.
Kweku is now Trustee of Marketing & Communications for Africa Rising Foundation, which he co-founded with his cousin Ndaba Mandela to encourage youth leadership and global partnerships. He also co-founded Mandela.Is in partnership with his cousin Ndaba, to honor the work, activism and spirit of their grandfather, Nelson Mandela.
Kweku was born in Transkei, South Africa, lived in the United States until he returned to South Africa in 1993. Kweku attended APA International Film School in Sydney, Australia.
Ndaba MandelaA former senior political consultant at the Embassy of Japan in Pretoria, Ndaba is the Chairman and co-founder of Africa Rising Foundation along with his cousin Kweku Mandela-Amuah. Ndaba holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Relations from University of Pretoria. While working at the embassy he was chosen to represent his country alongside a group of Argentine and Jordanian entrepreneurs in a business leadership program in Jordan, compiled by the Ahl Ali Group of Dubai in association with the Queen Rania Centre for Entrepreneurship. He then worked as a client liaison officer at Investec Asset Management before leaving to pursue his entrepreneurial and social development aspirations.
Ndaba is engaged in several social ventures such as Out of Africa Entertainment. Most recently, Ndaba and Kweku launched Mandela.Is, a social media site to honor the work, activism, and spirit of their grandfather, Nelson Mandela. In April 2013, Ndaba appeared on TEDx to discuss the importance of Africa Rising Foundation.
Founded in 2009 by Ndaba Mandela and Kweku Mandela-Amuah, Africa Rising Foundation aspires to advance a positive image of Africa in order to instill a sense of pride and purpose in young Africans around the globe. Through publications, films, and social media, the Foundation aims to inspire young Africans in 4 strategic areas: education, culture, entrepreneurship and leadership development, to create a new generation of Afro-Sophisticates.