shaun johnson mandela

Lala ngo Xolo Shaun!To Stefania, Luna and the Mandela Rhodes Family, I would like to extend my deepest condolences on the unexpected passing of Shaun Johnson. He made it known that I almost didn’t the scholarship and was pleased to hear that my mom would have agreed with this outcome, as in her words, I had been ‘tjatjarag’. I hadn’t worked on the manuscript for over eighteen months at that point, and having his conviction behind me made me feel – and still does – that it was an endeavour worth seeing through.The week after the workshop I went out and bought the novel, intending to read it before my final workshop and to tell him my thoughts.

No one was pushed to the background. He will be dearly missed but never forgotten. Go well Shaun and we love you SJ until we meet again. I struggled not to imagine him with half-moon spectacles, a flowing white beard and resplendent purple robes because the analogy to Dumbledore seemed so fitting.Now on to the second vignette. I’m going for a Dumbledore approach – gentle, but there when he needs to be. For those of us in the organisation who have known him for many years, the news was shattering. I didn’t experience this urgency of achievement with you. He was open about his relationship with his parents, and what urged him to tell their story; he described the complexities of writing a story that was based on biographical fact, while trying to maintain the privacy and dignity of his own family. There was a part of me that cannot comprehend a life without him being in this world, especially as he in many ways represents a significant part of my MRF experience which has ultimately shaped my life in so many wonderful ways. He held a special place in my life, and my own leadership journey, and I will miss him terribly.I wish you all strength during this difficult time.It was with shock and grief that I learned of the passing of our beloved Shaun.At first, I did not want to believe it, remembering how vital and full of life he was, the last time I saw him.In losing Shaun we have lost a giant upon whose shoulders many of us stood. Four faces and pairs of eyes starred at me and smiled.

Let’s take comfort, he is at a better place!Shaun was such an inspiring servant leader who lived for others, this is so evident in his life’s work. He asked me about my experiences at Rhodes University and my interests in journalism. He was an amazing soul, believed in all his scholars, and took an individual interest in them. JOHANNESBURG - In a statement released on Tuesday, the Nelson Mandela Foundation confirmed the passing of author and anti-apartheid journalist Shaun Johnson, who served as its former chief executive. Shaun steered the ship expertly. Save to say, go well Shaun. We can get lost in the chasing of dreams and achieving big things as we aspire to be more and to do more…for ourselves, others and Africa.

Johnson family, you shared with us one of your own. When I last saw him at his farewell at Oxford, I remember thinking of how Shaun’s legacy is one some will only wish for. He didn’t have to. They made possible for collaborative creation of a world-class African leadership development institution, fulfilling Mr Mandela’s express wishes.

He was 60 years old. How do you think I am doing at it?”There he was again, building kinship. Search in content And I was sincerely scared because it was my first scholarship interview and my life depended on it. But he also impacted people’s lives through his thinking about the everyday things. Thoughtful, energetic, brave and kind, he embodied the tenets of the MRF. I will remember him for his Dumbledore-like sageness, inquisitiveness and integrity, as well as his joviality. But when Shaun asked you something, your answer mattered to him, and made you feel worthy of such labels. The Board of Trustees of The Mandela Rhodes Foundation has announced that after more than 15 years at the helm of the organisation, its founding Executive Director Shaun Johnson has expressed his desire to step down in the course of 2019 and to pass on the baton of leadership. With it, he was able to ignite even the darkest of days.I recall times he made himself available to hear what was going on in my life and offer counsel when it was needed. ... benefactor, friend to Nelson Mandela and much more, has met his final deadline.

Most importantly, there was humour and levity, which I saw as he belly-laughed at our talent show, when I said in order to lead a sweet life, I would like to be reincarnated as a white person’s dog. He told me to go out and celebrate. A great leader. A lovely man and a really good South African. Luna and Steph deserved at least another 20 years with Shaun. We will miss being able to pick up the phone and draw on his wisdom and insight. Shaun shared how impressed he was by how I stood for what I believed and then ever so gently encouraged me to add one more word to my vocabulary– diplomacy! Search in posts Thank you! There were so many moments where I clicked with what he was saying in a very tangible way; isn’t that the dream of an author? If you have enquiries or hi-res images contact Abigail Mc Dougall e-mail abi@mrf.org.za or Tel 021 424 3346. May you go well, find peace, and eternal rest.My sincere condolences to you, and the MRF team, and especially to Shaun’s family. “He was a wonderful storyteller and a deep thinker.”"Shaun leaves a strong legacy within the family of Mandela organisations. Shaun stayed till the last person had left after signing over 50 books and taking as many selfies as there were requests. Feel free to republish our articles, but please credit our writers and authors and credit How can one guy remember all the former and present scholars well enough to write a personalized recommendation letter? The personal things.

He was funny.