St. John’s Episcopal Hospital Welcomes Ndaba Mandela, Grandson of Nelson Mandela

St. John's Episcopal Hospital wrapped up their celebration of Black History Month with a very special guest Ndaba Mandela, grandson of the late Nelson Mandela. St. John's was the first hospital that Mr. Mandela visited on his trip to NY. His presence filled up the board room of the hospital with great excitement, and enthusiasm from the staff and executive board members.

Ndaba's recent book "Going to the Mountain" chronicles his life living with, and learning from, one of the greatest leaders and humanitarians the world has known. Ndaba's visit at the hospital included an informal interview with Episcopal Health Services’ VP of External Affairs, Renee Hastick-Motes who introduced Mr. Mandela after reading his bio to the crowd. Ms. Hastick-Motes took the opportunity to ask questions about the book and his life with his grandfather. He also answered questions from the audience pertaining to his advocacy for A.I.D.S., mental health, the future of our youth and how they relate to his grandfather's message to all people.

“We have to talk to our young people so that they are not afraid to fail. Young people need to be encouraged and that is why mentorship is so important. Young people need to know there is someone in their corner who loves them and wants to see them win.” says Mr. Mandela

“St. John's Episcopal Hospital is the first Healthcare entity Mr. Mandela visited while in NY and we are so grateful for his shared wisdom and charisma, I am honored the audience was offered the opportunity to receive his Grandfather's wisdom as it relates to the future of the younger generation reminding us race is not about color, it is about humanity. says Ms. Hastick-Motes

Ms. Hastick-Motes addressed the audience by reading one of her favorite quotes from Mr. Mandela’s grandfather “Do not just me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again”. After the Q & A, Mr. Mandela graciously posed for individual and group pictures with the St. John’s Episcopal Hospital staff after which he was give a grand tour of the hospital. Mr. Mandela was chosen by his grandfather to be the familial heir to his legacy. He is also the Founder & Chairman of Africa Rising and the Mandela Project.

About Ndaba Thembekile Zweliyajika Mandela
Ndaba Thembekile Zweliyajika Mandela (born 23 December 1982) is an author, mentor, spokesperson, entrepreneur, political consultant, and the grandson of Nelson Mandela. He was born in Soweto, South Africa. Mandela is currently the co-founder and chairman of the Mandela Institute for Humanity. He is active in keeping the legacy of his grandfather alive, and introducing Nelson Mandela to a younger generation. He is the

co-founder and chairman of Africa Rising Foundation. He is also the founder of the Mandela Project. He was part of the team for the Mandela Centenary in 2018. From 2014 - 2021 Ndaba was Vice President of the Pan- African Youth Council which is now called the Pan African Youth Parliament which works closely with the African Union. He is the longest serving global ambassador for UNAIDS, a specialized agency of the United Nations that campaigns to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Both of his parents died from the disease.

About St. John’s Episcopal Hospital

St. John’s Episcopal Hospital (SJEH) is the only hospital providing emergency and ambulatory care to the densely populated, culturally and economically diverse, and medically underserved populations of the Rockaways and Five Towns in southern Queens County and southwestern Nassau County, New York. Recognized as a Baby Friendly Designated hospital as of March 2020, SJEH celebrates over 110 years of community care, the 257-bed facility provides people of all faiths with comprehensive preventive, diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitative services, regardless of ability to pay.