(AllHipHop News) Rapper Drake showed off his motivational speaking talents while delivering a speech to South African youths at the Nelson Mandela Center of Memory on Monday (June 27).
The star was in Johannesburg to film the music video for his hit “One Dance,” but he took a break from working to pay a visit to kids at the late leader’s post-presidential office, which is now a museum honoring his legacy.
Drake addressed students as part of Youth Month celebrations, discussing his experience growing up in Toronto, Canada and what inspired him to follow his dreams, urging the kids to do the same.
“I encourage you to do everything you can to make the future here as bright as you possibly can,” the 29-year-old told the crowd. “We’re all young. We all have some end goal or some dream. And take it from me, I sat around for a lot of days thinking about my family, my loved ones, where I’m from and trying to make the place where I’m from proud of me. If I can do it, anyone in this room can do it.”
Drake was also given a tour of the center by Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe, his Deputy, Buti Manamela, and members of the Mandela family.
Deputy Minister Manamela praised the Hip-Hop star for being a positive role model for the students, telling AllAfrica.com, “We are quite grateful to him and his team to come and be part of this. This is one of the most successful artists in the world; he is an inspiration to many young South Africans.
“What is more important is that he is committing on a long standing partnership with our country.”