The Nelson Mandela Foundation is introducing a series of NFTs in honor of Mandela Day which is celebrated on 18th July. The team behind the project chose July 18th because of its significance in relation to the icon. The initiative honors the life and legacy of the former South African president and was developed in close collaboration with the Auckland-based Glorious Digital.

Although there isn’t an official release date just yet, this long-term project will look at the impact Nelson Mandela has had on South Africa and globally. Significantly, the funds from the project will grow the reach of the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

Nelson Mandela, commonly referred to as Madiba, is a former president of South Africa, an icon of democracy, and a Nobel Peace Prize winner.

However, his life was difficult having lived through the brutal and horrific apartheid system in South Africa. In trying to end the apartheid system in South Africa, Mandela served 27 years in prison between 1962 and 1990 on Robben Island. 

Apartheid started to dissolve in 1990 due to mounting international pressure and the threat of massive civil unrest.  This was when Nelson Mandela and other key civil rights activists were finally freed.

In 1994, Mandela ran for president in South Africa’s first-ever free and fair general elections. Previously, voting had been a right of white South Africans only. He eventually won the elections four years after the cruel system of Apartheid ended becoming South Africa’s first black president.  

The Nelson Mandela NFTs will focus on such aspects of his life. 

Because of the partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Glorious Digital will have access to personal papers, photographs, and more of the icon’s personal artifacts. In fact, the project is predicted to last ten years. 

“To be entrusted with Mandela’s archive, legacy, and messages of togetherness, optimism, leadership, equality, freedom, and hope amongst others is an honor and a privilege,” said Tim Harper, Glorious Digital’s Chief Executive.

The purpose of the NFTs is to explore the full history of Nelson Mandela and the impact of his life on society.