The Toronto Raptors, general manager Masai Ujiri, and Giants of Africa will celebrate the life of Nelson Mandela at the Air Canada Centre on Saturday.
The team revealed in a release Tuesday that several notable names will be on hand for a panel discussion on the Raptors’ practice court following the team’s game against the Golden State Warriors. Saturday marks the second anniversary of Mandela’s passing and “The Giant of Africa” will be a night dedicated to celebrating the life of the late Nobel Peace Prize winner and former president of South Africa. The event also aims to support the Nelson Mandela Foundation and Ujiri’s own not-for-profit, Giants of Africa.
Ujiri and the Raptors hosted “The Giant of Africa” last year, too.
Here’s a list of expected attendees, from the release:
Damon Allen, CFL Legend
Cameron Bailey, Artistic Director, Toronto International Film Festival
Jully Black, Canadian R&B artist
James Duthie, TSN sportscaster
Didier Drogba, international soccer icon
Winnie Harlow, international model
Bob Lanier, NBA Legend
Ruth Riley, WNBA & NCAA Champion (Notre Dame) & Olympic Gold Medalist
Adam Silver, NBA Commissioner
Mark Tatum, NBA Deputy Commissioner
Isiah Thomas, NBA Legend
Carol Tshabalala, media personality
Masai Ujiri, President and General Manager, Toronto Raptors
Conspicuous by his absence is Jonathan Bernier.
You can read more about Ujiri and Giants of Africa here, more about Mandela’s life here, and get a refresher on last year’s event here.
