Onome Amuge
The historic Italian city of Bari was recently the setting for an evening of cultural celebration and international collaboration as global leaders, innovators and creative figures gathered for the Mandela Awards Gala Dinner and Ceremony at the Scuderia Room of Villa Romanazzi.
The gala, organised in partnership with the Thembekile Mandela Foundation under the leadership of chief executive Ndileka Mandela, formed part of the Foundation’s continuing mission to promote the values of integrity, leadership and community upliftment inspired by Nelson Mandela.
Hosted alongside the Mandela Awards Commission, the Apulian Runway Experience, Regione Puglia and CNA Puglia, the event brought together public figures and creative professionals to recognise individuals and organisations contributing to the creative economy and to wider social impact.
One of the evening’s principal honourees was photographer Richard Young, who received the Mandela Award for Contribution to Photography. The accolade acknowledged a five-decade career that has captured defining cultural and humanitarian moments across the globe. From intimate portraits of global icons to images that have chronicled social change, Young’s work was described by organisers as embodying “the spirit of storytelling and empathy that mirrors Mandela’s own legacy of humanity and connection”.
The ceremony’s artistic direction was led by Bruno Simeone, creative director of the awards show and gala. Renowned for his elegant, minimalist aesthetic, Simeone curated an atmosphere that balanced glamour with purpose, styling several international guests, among them former Princess Tessy of Luxembourg.
The awards formed part of the inaugural Creative Economy Forum, overseen by chief executive Daniele Del Genio and co-presidents Taiwo Meghoma and Joseph Hammond. The forum aims to highlight the role of creativity, innovation and cultural collaboration in driving sustainable economic growth and regional partnerships.
Among the speakers was Adenike Adeyemi, a prominent advocate for entrepreneurship and creative development in Nigeria. She emphasised the importance of cross-border collaboration and youth empowerment within Africa’s creative industries, urging policymakers and investors to view creativity as a central pillar of economic transformation.
Fashion played a central role in the evening’s programme. Azerbaijani designer Kamilla Babaeva presented a collection of sculptural garments that combined craftsmanship and storytelling, earning admiration from an international audience. The showcase reflected the event’s wider ambition to blend artistic expression with social purpose and global unity.
Taiwo Meghoma, co-president of the Creative Economy Forum, described the ceremony as a reminder that leadership is measured by service rather than influence. “We are proud to see these values celebrated here in Puglia, a region known for its sense of community and cultural richness. The Creative Economy Forum is built on the belief that creativity is one of the world’s most powerful forces for positive change. Bringing the Mandela Awards to Bari demonstrates what can be achieved when art, culture and purpose converge. The creative industries do not simply entertain—they empower, connect and transform communities,” Meghoma said.
Guests enjoyed an evening of regional fine dining, music and cultural performances, alongside tributes to the shared mission of strengthening links between Africa and Europe’s creative economies.
The Mandela Awards in Bari represent another step in the Thembekile Mandela Foundation’s international outreach, expanding its global network of socially conscious leaders and innovators. The Foundation’s organisers said their ambition is to continue connecting heritage with innovation to advance a more equitable and inclusive global creative economy.
By bringing the celebration to southern Italy, the organisers also sought to highlight Puglia’s emerging role as a hub for cultural diplomacy and creative enterprise. Local institutions, including Regione Puglia, have in recent years increased investment in arts-led economic development and cross-border exchange, aiming to position the region as a bridge between Europe and Africa’s growing creative markets.
As the evening concluded, attendees reflected on how the Mandela Awards have evolved into a platform that merges recognition with responsibility. The event, they noted, is not simply about honouring achievement but about inspiring collaboration between business, culture and community leadership.
