2022 McCarthy Residency

McCarthy Scholar in Residency: Dr. Siyabulela Mandela

Written by: Emmett Adam ‘23 and Lizbet Martinez-Port ‘22

The McCarthy Center was honored to welcome Dr. Siyabulela Mandela to CSB+SJU as our 14th McCarthy Scholar in Residence.

Dr. Mandela is a leader in peacekeeping, diplomacy, and human rights from Port Elizabeth, South Africa. He currently works as a Regional Project Manager for East and Southern Africa at the Journalist for Human Rights Program. As a relative of anti-apartheid revolutionary, political leader, and philanthropist, Nelson Mandela, Dr. Mandela often discusses the legacy of his grandfather and his impact on his own life.

Dr. Mandela holds a M. Phil. in Conflict Transformation and Management and a Ph.D. in International Relations and Conflict Resolution from the Department of Politics and History at Nelson Mandela University, South Africa. Dr. Mandela is particularly interested in social justice, human rights, conflict resolution, youth activism, and the rights of women and girls.

Dr. Mandela stayed with the Center from March 21st until April 17th. His stay at CSB+SJU was centered on his course entitled “Global Activism: Youth and Social Movements.” In his course, Dr. Mandela introduced students to youth-led social movements in South Africa, focusing on the unique role of young people in creating social change.

Outside of teaching his course, Dr. Mandela was immersed in various areas of the CSB+SJU and broader Minnesotan communities. Each week, Dr, Mandela met with students for lunch, attended events and lectures hosted by various departments, and spoke with over 10 different classes.

During his first week on campus, Dr. Mandela received tours of both campuses, met with Interim President Hamen and Transitional President Mullen, and joined the McCarthy Center and Multicultural Center staff for dinner at Krewe. This week was capped off with an overnight trip to visit the White Earth Nation with students from the Indigenous Student Association.

On Dr. Mandela’s second week, he interviewed with students for their courses, spoke at a Politics and a Pint event titled “Look At All These Slave Masters Posing On Your Dollars” with Dr. Louis Johnston and Dr. Ken Jones, attended an International Student Services and Multicultural Center’s “Journey Across the World” event, and met Angela Rose Meyers, Black Lives Matter leader and President of the Minneapolis chapter of NAACP.

During his third week at CSB+SJU, Dr. Mandela invited McCarthy Center Staff to a “braai” barbecue and spent a day with students and faculty at Saint Cloud State University. The primary event during this week was Dr. Mandela’s Spring Residency keynote with students and Angela Rose Myers.

In his fourth and final week with the Center, Dr. Mandela attended an event sponsored by the Center and SJU President’s Office with Dr. Douglas Brinkley, met with his student mentees, and gave a presentation at the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs.

The McCarthy Center thanks all campus stakeholders for their assistance in facilitating a and engaging Spring Residency, particularly the Multicultural Center for their unique efforts. Starting in 2008, the McCarthy Residency has allowed students to engage critically with local, national, and international leaders. We thank Dr. Mandela for his stay, emphasizing the importance of action, civic engagement, and public policy.

Global Activism, Youth, and Social Movements

Written by: Victoria M. Evens, Civic Fellow

During the month-long McCarthy Residency, Dr. Mandela offered an interactive one-credit course entitled “Global Activism, Youth and Social Movements.”

The course introduced students to youth-led social movements in Africa and beyond, drawing lessons from the 1976 student protests and the 2015-2017 Fees Must Fall protests in South Africa, the Arab Spring in North Africa, and Black Lives Matter in the United States. While discussing conflict theories and conflict resolution approaches, the course focused on the unique roles of young people in creating social change. Dr. Mandela provided a unique opportunity for students, staff, and faculty to participate in class discussions and activities alongside the group of 30 registered students. This inspired a strong bond of community through interactive lectures and lively discussions.

Dr. Mandela poses with Global Activism class

McCarthy Residency Keynote: Global Activism

Written by: Emmett Adam ‘23

“Many of you will be surprised to learn that 22 years ago, here in Minneapolis, Nelson Mandela spoke at an NAACP fundraising event, and many of the issues that we will be deliberating upon . . . were the very same issues that 22 years ago Nelson Mandela spoke about.”

That was the quote headlining Dr. Siyabulela Zanokhanyo Mandela’s address to over 100 students, faculty, staff and community members for the Spring McCarthy Lecture.

The evening began with a welcome from Dr. Matt Lindstrom, Edward L. Henry Professor of Political Science and Director of the Eugene J. McCarthy Center for Public Policy and Civic Engagement. Then, introductions and a land acknowledgement came from God’gift Iteghete ‘22.

Following opening remarks, Dr. Mandela engaged in discussion with Angela Rose Myers, former President and current Political Action Committee Co-Chair at the Minneapolis NAACP. Myers is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Human Rights at the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Policy. The discussion was moderated by Kat Mazang ‘22, African Student Association President and Emmett Adam ‘23, McCarthy Center Student Coordinator.

The conversation was then opened to the audience as Nayelli Carreno ‘23 facilitated audience discussion regarding land allocation in South Africa, historical influences of racism in Minnesota, and ideas for decolonizing CSB+SJU.

After Dr. Mandela spoke, similar themes of Congressman John Lewis’ notion of “good trouble” appeared in Myers’s anecdotes regarding the past, present, and future state of racism in Minnesota. As both South Africa and Minnesota seek equality, this notion will be at the forefront of important social movements

Another key item stood out at the Lecture: the ages of the panelists, with all being under 30 years old. Dr. Mandela spoke extensively regarding the need for hope, and how power is in the hands of the youth. In agreement, Myers provided grassroots experiences demonstrating the skills of youth in creating change in local communities.

After the keynote, it was clear the event was engaging and successful, as Dr. Mandela and Myers stayed to discuss with students nearly 2 hours following the event start time. The McCarthy Center thanks Dr. Mandela, Angela Rose Myers, the Multicultural Center, the African Student Association, and the Indigenous Student Association for their support in this successful event.

Dr. Mandela, Kat Mazang ‘22, Emmett Adam ‘23, and Angela Rose Myers