Brock University will mark Nelson Mandela International Day on Thursday, July 18 by raising the South African flag and illuminating Schmon Tower in yellow, green, red and blue.

Thursday marks the 101st anniversary of the birth of Mandela, who was an anti-apartheid activist and global leader. Mandela was involved in protests and politics most of his life, most famously opposing the racial discrimination of the apartheid policy. Imprisoned for more than 27 years, he became one of the most recognized political prisoners in the world.

After his release from prison, Mandela became the first black president to be democratically elected in South Africa. In 2009, the United Nations declared July 18 Nelson Mandela International Day, or Mandela Day. This year also marks the beginning of the Nelson Mandela Decade of Peace, as declared by the United Nations.

Dolana Mogadime, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education, has advocated for the flag raising and tower illumination to become an annual event at Brock and has been collaborating with the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg on the Nelson Mandela: Struggle for Freedom exhibit.

The flag of South Africa will be raised Thursday morning and Schmon Tower will be illuminated in the flag’s colours at dusk and through the evening hours.