On the 36th anniversary of Nelson Mandela's release from prison, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa launched the Nelson Mandela Rules Training Academy at the Drakenstein Correctional Facility. This academy is significant as it is the first in Africa to focus exclusively on the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, also known as the Nelson Mandela Rules. These guidelines are intended to ensure that all individuals in detention are treated with dignity and fairness, a principle that Mandela advocated for during and after his own 27-year imprisonment.

The launch of this academy highlights the ongoing impact of Mandela's legacy on human rights and justice not just in South Africa, but around the globe. Jane Marie Ong’olo, the Regional Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, emphasized that Mandela's advocacy for humane treatment continues to influence global standards for prison conditions. She pointed out the importance of education and training in upholding these standards, which the academy aims to achieve through its dedicated curriculum.

With a focus on educating prison officials and stakeholders about the humane treatment of prisoners, the Nelson Mandela Rules Training Academy aspires to reform and improve the correctional system in South Africa and set an example for other countries. By operationalizing the principles set forth in the Nelson Mandela Rules, the academy aims not only to honor Mandela's legacy but also to enhance the dignity and rights of prisoners across the continent, fostering a shift towards more ethical prison practices in line with international standards.