What people have said
Andrew delivered an engaging leadership session to the Ocellics, TASC and PowerSolve Technologies teams at a joint informal team event. His talk was grounded in real history and practical insight, and his ability to draw lessons from the life and leadership of Nelson Mandela made the discussion both accessible and impactful. What stood out was the emphasis on consistency, values, and long-term thinking. The sports references further illustrated how strong leadership principles carry across disciplines. Thanks, Andrew, for your time. It was an interesting and well-delivered session that resonated across our teams.
Andrew is a story-teller of note. He kept the learners engaged from the start; referencing real-life anecdotes and historical events. His stories were supported by footage and visuals and he spoke with passion. The content is so important in a time where our youth lack good role models in leadership. The lessons from Mandela's leadership inspire and encourage us all to be the best we can. The learners responded so positively to Andrew and were very sad when the four-week programme came to an end. I would recommend this programme for all teens."
The participants really appreciated your availability and approachability during the program, giving them the opportunity to expand their knowledge of South Africa and, more specifically, Nelson Mandela. Your lectures allowed participants to contextualize the locations visited in South Africa to a greater degree, making their trip even more meaningful. Your passion for, and knowledge of, the subject matter was outstanding.
Andrew gave an excellent speech on how to be a good leader and how to be more like Nelson Mandela in your everyday life. He shared some cool facts and a lot about his early life in South Africa. You could sense his passion and the fact he cares a great deal – although he never met Mandela he spoke about him as if he knew him for years. He inspired me to be a better leader in the school community.
What a pleasure to welcome Andrew Russell to the school last week, to hear him speak about Nelson Mandela. Having written and edited books on Mandela and his leadership, he spoke with some authority and was inspirational to pupils and adults alike. I would recommend him if you're looking for a speaker. Mr Russell argued that the world needs more leaders who have integrity, patience and long-term vision. Mandela possessed all of these and it meant his leadership was rooted in service, reconciliation and making a difference. This talk from Mr Russell stood out and I was proud of the Biltonians in the room for the way they listened, engaged and responded. They showed maturity, intelligence and intellectual curiosity and many left the room feeling inspired about the power of sport, how to be a leader, and, most importantly, how to be a better person.
The first in our Speaker Series in the new Performing Arts Centre started last week with South African author, Andrew Russell. Year 7 and 8, parents and staff were captivated by Andrew’s powerful talk that focused on Leadership and Service – our PSB skills focus this half term – leadership in sport, and lessons for today from Nelson Mandela. Through stories of empathy, kindness and determination, Andrew explained that these qualities live in us all, and how the power of sport unites communities. It was a truly memorable and inspirational afternoon and we are extremely grateful to Andrew for coming to talk to us.
It’s a super book Andrew. Well done and thank you. I was up top of Table Mountain early this morning via Kirstenbosch and so particularly enjoyed your reference to this treasure in ‘The Gardener’. I also enjoyed your ramble through your own upbringing and life journey, both for the similarities and differences to mine.
Andrew Russell’s “The Leadership We Need – lessons for today from Nelson Mandela” is a thoughtful recollection of Mandela, the man, the leader and the decision maker. Andrew records his extensive library of Mandela books, not just “Long Walk to Freedom” but also other useful and highly-informed books written by a wide variety of people, a quick count being nearly 60. For students of modern history – and modern South Africa – a most useful reference service.
I’m writing to you because of the speech you gave last Friday at the Fleetwood Town Football Academy. I actually wasn’t even supposed to be there – I came in about 15 minutes late to ask my boss two quick questions, but after I heard you speak, I was completely drawn in and stayed for the rest of your talk. I found it absolutely inspiring. I truly believe that sport brings people together, and when you spoke about this and connected it with South Africa and the country’s history, I was fascinated. I’m not South African myself, but my dad was born in Johannesburg. I’m 19 years old, born and raised in Germany, and for the past three months I’ve been working here in Hout Bay as a volunteer for the Hout Bay Football Community. Thanks again for the inspiration – I’d really appreciate hearing from you.
Andrew Russell, educator and tourism manager, a white native born in Cape Town, spent a few days with us sharing how he came to regard Mandela as the “greatest leader the world has ever known.” As a global community onboard the Queen Anne, we were aware of the fragility Pope Francis was experiencing up until his death the day after Easter. These four servants—Jesus, Jimmy Carter, Nelson Mandela and Pope Francis—emulated the leadership qualities shared by Andrew Russell, in his book about Mandela, The Leadership We Need: 1) Honesty and integrity; 2) Simplicity; 3) Humility; 4) Perseverance and commitment; 5) Humanity and readiness to serve others.
I wanted to let you know that I thoroughly enjoyed reading your book "The Leadership we Need". You have managed to weave the stories of your own life, the special people who have influenced you on the journey, the history of South Africa, especially the Western Cape, and the life and lessons from Nelson Mandela, in the most masterful way. Congratulations, and thank you for gifting a copy to me.
Andrew - your books are up there on the Queen Anne cruise ship library shelves. Your lectures had quite an impact as well and certainly set the scene for what followed. Your work keeps sending the message out there - whether it’s to the young or old, please keep doing it. I also strongly agree with your belief in the power of sports to cross all boundaries and facilitate change. Let’s all hope for a better world.
I have so enjoyed reading your book, thanks very much for giving me a signed copy. You write beautifully and I have found myself relating to many of your thoughts in your book, perhaps because we shared a very similar childhood, with mine being at a better school of course! I have been reading out here in Hermanus and have been reading extracts to my dad. He remembers your dad well. I've also been teaching a lot of what you have written about in my G7 history classes and plan to include a few of your thoughts to my notes for the boys, with your permission of course! You can be very proud of what you have achieved with this book, and I'm sure your father would be very proud of you! Congratulations!
Andrew's talk was something I would recommend all Year 7 and 8 cohorts get to enjoy. Setting the scene with a brief yet important synopsis of apartheid helped galvanise the pupils into engaging with the lessons of leadership he wanted to extrapolate with the children. Andrew's real skill is to engage with the young minds in front of him to allow maximum audience participation; this is an interactive experience that is rewarding for all. Those young adolescents prepared to engage wholeheartedly will not only gain confidence and self-awareness but also stand-out to staff and peers alike, perhaps showing leadership qualities that have been previously unseen.
I was very lucky to hear Andrew's talk on Nelson Mandela and the lessons that we can learn from him and his leadership. Talking to a group of boys aged between 11 and 13, Andrew held them completely rapt and engaged throughout the whole talk. They were fascinated by the insights that he was able to share and it was evident from the number of questions at the end just how much he had piqued their interest in one of the world's greatest men. I think the defining characteristic of the talk, apart from what we learn about Mandela, is Andrew's passion to share both his own experiences and the lessons that could be so useful to us all during the time when the world is so ill at ease. I can wholeheartedly recommend Andrew as a speaker and think others would be fortunate to hear him too.
Last Tuesday, author, Andrew Russell, joined us from South Africa for an engaging conversation about leadership lessons that we can learn from Nelson Mandela and how we can apply them to our personal and professional lives. Andrew shared how his unique background sparked an interest in Mandela. Born in Cape Town, South Africa as a privileged white citizen, Andrew described his upbringing as one in which he was sheltered from the evils of the apartheid system. It wasn’t until Andrew was a teenager and traveled to Hong Kong to play rugby when he first understood, and witnessed first-hand, the global community’s disapproval of South Africa and the sanctions and boycotts they had put on his home country. This ignited his interest to get involved in the anti-apartheid movement at his University and his interest in Nelson Mandela as the new leader of South Africa. Andrew highlighted three lessons that we can all learn from Nelson Mandela: how to overcome challenges, change lives and become a leader. Nelson Mandela overcame challenges by being persistent and resilient, maintaining dignity and integrity, building strong relationships and being a strategic thinker with a long-term vision. Andrew stressed the importance of how we can take some of the qualities Nelson Mandella had and apply them in our own life or work to help change others’ lives. Thank you to those who made this an inspirational discussion for our students!
Andrew your presentation was a valuable teachable moment. Thank you.
Your talk was tremendous, Andrew. Totally inspiring. Thank you.
You were absolutely amazing! Thank you so much for lifting the spirit in the room and for the stunning books.
Andrew Russell presented an outstanding talk on Nelson Mandela ahead of Mandela Day. After his presentation Andrew opened his talk to the floor. We could have gone on for much longer with all the questions. The topic was whether Nelson Mandela is still relevant in 2024. There was an overwhelming yes.
Thanks so much for your beautifully written book, which I finished reading 10 minutes ago. I really enjoyed the strong “messaging from Mandela”, interwoven with your background. I believe that one day many successful and “good” people in SA will talk about how they read “The Leadership We Need” when they were in high school or university. That is your Legacy and you can be very proud.
Andrew Russell not only understands how to talk about a difficult historical situation, but he understands how to explain it in terms that reach teenagers, without assuming any prior knowledge. He was direct, engaging, and authentic in his interaction with the students, and they felt it. The feedback from both students and faculty alike was resounding and positive, and we were so lucky to have Andrew Russell work with our community.
It was such a pleasure meeting you this morning as well as listening to your superb talk. You are a wonderful speaker and you've spurred me to learn more about Mr. Mandela beyond his autobiography which I read in advance of this trip, I look forward to reading your book on my flight home. Many thanks and all the best.
Andrew Russell's presentation at the Bishops Grade 11 Leadership Conference was truly intriguing, shedding light on many lesser-known facts and nuances of Mandela's leadership. He skillfully pieced it all together weaving in and out of the boys’ life experiences at school to make it wholly relevant to them.