Nelson Mandela (b. 1918 – d. 2013) was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, politician and philanthropist who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. His government focused on dismantling the legacy of apartheid by tackling institutionalized racism, poverty and inequality, and fostering racial reconciliation. He won a Nobel Prize in 1993, was recognized for the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal, appointed honourary Companion of the Order of Canada in 1998 and received honorary Canadian Citizenship in 2001. The Nelson Mandela Foundation was founded in 1999 to focus on rural development, school construction and combating HIV/AIDS.

The CBE is proud to name a new school for someone whose work and life impacted so many people around the world. We believe that Nelson Mandela’s legacy exemplifies the incredible and significant difference that one person can make, which is an important lesson for our students.

After gathering and evaluating input from parents, students and community members, the school naming committee recommended this name to the Board of Trustees for its approval. The committee was comprised of CBE Trustees, parent and/or community representatives, students and members of CBE administration.