ABOUT US

We stand for A Pedagogy of Love and Liberation

Through a strong commitment to the Pedagogy of Love and Liberation, restorative practice, cultural relevance, competency based education and relevant rites of passage experiences, NMSSJ will graduate academic scholars, who are committed to social emotional development and social justice.

Nelson Mandela School for Social Justice (NMSSJ), in partnership with families and communities, will create and maintain a school environment founded on the principles, Harambee (Swahili for “to p ull together in the same direction”) and Ubuntu (Xhosa for “I am because you are”) that promotes academic scholarship and critical consciousness. 

Nelson Mandela School for Social Justice (NMSSJ) is committed to fostering a community of lifelong learners who are socially conscious leaders. We believe education is a powerful tool to effect positive change in our communities and the world.

Our mission is to create and maintain a school environment founded on the principles of Harambee ("to pull together") and Ubuntu ("I am because you are"), promoting academic scholarship and critical consciousness. Our vision is to graduate social justice and equity warriors who are critically conscious, analytical, and independent thinkers, committed to designing a future of love, justice, and transformative power for themselves and their communities.

Visit from Nkosi Mandela, Nelson Mandela’s grandson, to Nelson Mandela High School

The Mandela Principles

1

Harambee

Swahili term (East African) that means “pulling or working together in a common direction”. The principle of community. All the members of the community have a stake in what happens and work together to achieve goals.

2

Ubuntu

South African word meaning “humanity to others” (treating each other like humans; treating with kindness and charity). Ubuntu can be defined simply by “I am because you are, and because we are, therefore I am.” All the members of the community are interconnected.

3

Palante Siempre Palante

The term Palante Siempre Palante means “forward forever forward”. The principle of Failing Forward is using one’s mistakes or failures to move forward until victory is achieved. Mistakes are not a reason to give up, but instead to learn, keep going, and have a Growth Mindset.

4

Uhuru

Swahili word that means Freedom/independence. The principle of Social Justice is closely connected to the concept of Uhuru. NMSSJ's commitment to Uhuru is also tied to our commitment to Restorative Justice/Practice, student voice, and social justice/action.

5

Sawubona/Yebo Sawubona

This Zulu greeting literally means “I see you.” A response to the "Sawubona" greeting is, "Yebo, sawubona." This response means, “I see you seeing me.” More. Beyond mere politeness, Sawubona emphasises the importance of recognising the worth and dignity of each person as an individual.