The United Nations has announced Brenda Reynolds and Kennedy Odede as recipients of the 2025 Nelson Mandela Prize. The award celebrates their lifelong service, unity-driven leadership, and transformative impact on marginalized communities across continents.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres will present the Mandela Prize on July 18—Nelson Mandela International Day—in New York.
BRENDA REYNOLDS: A VOICE FOR INDIGENOUS HEALING
Brenda Reynolds, a member of Canada’s Fishing Lake Saulteaux First Nation, has led efforts in Indigenous healing and trauma recovery.
In 1988, she supported 17 teenage survivors in Saskatchewan’s first residential school abuse case—marking her start in national advocacy. She became a key adviser to Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission and helped develop nationwide trauma support for survivors.
Her health program offers culturally grounded mental health services to Indigenous families affected by historical abuse and cultural genocide.
In 2023, global leaders invited her to share insights on trauma care at UN and EU human rights forums.
KENNEDY ODEDE: TRANSFORMING KENYA’S SLUMS WITH HOPE
Kennedy Odede grew up in Nairobi’s Kibera slum, homeless by age 10, working in factories by 12. He used his small wages to buy a soccer ball, rallying youth into what became a movement: Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO).
The Mandela Prize recognizes a legacy of triumph and hope, paralleling Odede’s journey.
SHOFCO now delivers healthcare, education, clean water, and women’s empowerment programs to over 2.4 million Kenyans annually. TIME named Odede one of its 2024 Most Influential People for reimagining grassroots development from the ground up.
He advises global platforms including USAID, World Economic Forum, and the Obama Foundation, and is a bestselling author.
LEGACY OF MANDELA: SERVICE, JUSTICE, AND UNITY
The Nelson Mandela Prize, established in 2014, honors one woman and one man every five years for advancing equity and dignity. “This year’s winners show how individuals can create ripple effects of peace, power, and purpose,” Guterres said in closing remarks.
The Mandela Prize emphasizes cross-border unity, grassroots service, and the power of local action to inspire global transformation.
