A pro-youth development advocate, My-ACE China, has criticised African leaders for straying from the principles and legacy left behind by the late Nelson Mandela of South Africa. Speaking at the Mandela Leadership Award 2025 event in Port Harcourt, where he received the award for Outstanding African Youth (OAY), China said the continent has shifted away from values that promoted human rights, integrity, accountability, and prosperity for all.
He explained that Mandela’s ideals once provided strong direction for Africa, but leaders today have failed to uphold those standards — leaving young people uncertain about the future and seeking better opportunities elsewhere.
China, who is also known as the Mayor of Housing and serves as Chief Housing Development Officer of Housing and Construction Management, expressed concern over the widening governance gap in Africa. He stressed the importance of re-aligning leadership with Mandela’s trusted blueprint of non-corruption, youth empowerment, and global respect.
China highlighted that despite Mandela’s death over nine years ago, his values remain the benchmark for true leadership in Africa. He urged political leaders to return to a culture of integrity and give the youth a greater role in shaping development.
According to him, “perseverance and patience and those things in my mind when I hear statements by example, Mandela not only gave Africa an example, gave the younger generation an example, and most of all he gave the world an example.”
China pointed out the high youth population on the continent and the urgent need to harness their energy for growth. He stated, “70% of African demography is youth. ‘They are key for the future, the engine for productivity and for change, for the benefit of Africa. Anything that gets in the way of youth needs to be removed. I say this because I am a youth enthusiast and I want African youth to be part of the global philosophy of youth empowerment.’”
He lamented the consequences of leadership failure, stressing that “When African youths cannot see the good in something, they most likely become misplaced especially when leadership fails.”
China called for Mandela’s principles to be reinstituted globally, saying they should be the foundation of all leadership systems. According to him, “Mandela’s standard must be made the leadership standard that should be ‘standardised’ around the world. ‘We need to get back on track,’ he said.
