Ndaba Mandela’s Return to Co-teach in Spring 2025 South Africa Travelearn

By: Nefertiti Nzameyo

Ndaba Mandela’s appearance as guest speaker at Kean University’s 16th Annual Human Rights Conference last December spread an honorable chatter of anticipation amongst the Kean Community. That same night, a seed was planted to bring Kean students to Mandela’s home country- South Africa.

Jessica Barzilay, Assistant Vice President of Global Initiatives, oversees the Center for International Studies, the Human Rights Institute, and the Holocaust Resource Center. She vividly recalls the moment that spurred months of planning, research, and networking to offer Kean students the opportunity to study abroad in South Africa this upcoming spring break.

As the program coordinator and first-time traveler to the program destination, talking about the trip affected her arms with goosebumps.

“I’m too excited I have to contain myself. I have to contain myself,” said Barzilay.

Mandela’s and Barzilay’s co-partnership is infused with a motive to inspire the youth to recognize the capabilities within themselves that make great leaders conducive of magnet-like change in diverse human rights topics. The program features visits to Robben Island (known for being the site of Mandela’s imprisonment), Soweto, the safari, and the Cradle of Humankind.

Barlizay emphasizes the objective of raising thought-provoking questions that help bridge the gap between familiar and unfamiliar with the legacy of Mandela. A memorable life’s work that surpasses blood ties and geography that she got to experience firsthand.

“When I got to meet Ndaba Mandela I’m like, ‘I remember going the first time your grandfather was in the US and I remember standing in line to go see him speak but I can’t believe I’m standing here talking to you and giving you a hug. It’s unbelievable.”

More exciting than her involvement and work behind the scenes with her robust team of coworkers and Mandela, is the future where the experience will cease existing in the constraints of their minds.

“There’s going to be tears, there’s going to be probably people feeling very emotional of course, but there’s going to be the beauty and the joy and the what do we do with this,” said Brazilay.

The program in South Africa will be an addition to the list of human right’s Travelearns, 7-10 day study abroad trips led by faculty members, however, it will be the first trip to an African nation since she’s been at Kean.

“I’m not the expert of South Africa in any way but I am about how do you learn those lessons and come together and figure out what you’re going to do in your career,” said Barzilay. “In your life, how are you going to use those lessons?”

The conference celebrated the 75th anniversary of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by highlighting Nelson Mandela’s legacy that echoed the conference theme of freedom, justice, and equality for all. Ndaba’s presence and storytelling served as an intimate insider into the man whose fluid role as a grandfather, father, and teacher taught him about being a leader and standing up for his beliefs. Today, he strives to expose the youth to the lessons he learned in earlier years and inform them of the history behind the theme.

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