So when the Nelson Mandela Foundation asked whether Bill would accept the honour of delivering this year’s 14th Annual Nelson Mandela Lecture, he agreed. But Nelson Mandela played a crucial role in the progress we have made so far.
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“In the long run, what Africa needs is what the whole world needs: a breakthrough energy miracle that provides cheap, clean energy for everyone”, Gates said during the Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture.
Gates acknowledged Africa as being the youngest continent in the world, which makes him optimistic about its future.
Gates pointed out that in the next 35 years, 2 billion babies will be born in Africa.
“By 2050, 40 percent of the world’s children will live on this continent”, he said.
“You invent it, then you look at how much its costs go down over the next 20 years, that it really beats hydrocarbons”.
“BugIT Nigeria is an example of wat one person can do”, Gates said.
“When I started Microsoft in 1975 – at the age of 19 – computer science was a young field”.
In addition, Stop Hunger Now Global Food Security Ambassador Paulina Vega, former Miss Universe, will attend events in South Africa in her role to raise awareness of the issues of global hunger.
“The youth must be given an opportunity to thrive”.
Since its establishment, the Gates Foundation has handed out $36.7-billion to eradicate poverty and improve the lives of the poor. “Nearly half of the people living with HIV are undiagnosed”.
“The ANC’s message‚ and my message personally this Nelson Mandela Day is that as you lead your life everyday‚ try to make a very positive and a meaningful impact on the lives of other people”.
“It was clear to us that investing in health was at the top of the list”.
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It’s fair to assume that given his own well known opinions about the power of education and the potential of young people, Mandela would have agreed with the sentiment. Gates announced that this would be in addition to the 9 Billion Dollars already invested in Africa by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, with a major eye on healthcare systems and youth development. “And our duty is to do it now because the innovations of tomorrow depend on the opportunities available to children today”, he said.
