As the world celebrates Nelson Mandela Day on July 18, the legacy of the revered anti-apartheid activist, Nobel Peace laureate and humanitarian lives on in the countless people he has influenced. Philip Sykes is one.

Among the legions who, on July 18, will be honouring the memory of Nelson Mandela by doing 67 minutes of community service in memory of the 27 years the South African leader spent in prison for his beliefs in freedom, equality, and a better life for all, is Philip Sykes.

Like his hero, Sykes was born in the beautiful but divided Cape, and growing up, he was deeply aware of the shadow of apartheid that oppressed the country’s majority and denied them the education and opportunities he, as a white child, enjoyed. When he left school, he travelled the world, arriving in London in 1987 and getting his first job – as a bus boy at The Hard Rock Café, cleaning and clearing tables.

Back in South Africa, Philip found a rung in the hotel industry and pulled himself up, studying, training – and securing employment at the finest hotel in South Africa, the Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town, established in 1806 and named for the British Admiral who died in the Battle of Trafalgar the year before.

When the other Nelson finally strode to freedom in 1990, intent on leading his country out of darkness and uniting its people in the hope of a shared future through tolerance and respect for all, he became the inspiration of Sykes and countless others.

As Sykes worked his way up in the hospitality industry, eventually owning one of South Africa’s top ten restaurants, he discovered his deepest satisfaction lay in serving others not just literally in his establishments, which celebrated impeccable standards of excellence, but beyond that—in helping his staff, from the humblest cleaners to talented chefs and ambitious senior managers, grow through careful and caring training.

In February 2013, as Mandela, by then 95, became gravely ill, Sykes took the plunge and opened The British School of Etiquette in London. “I wanted to set up a new kind of training business that would help people of all backgrounds and abilities develop themselves and get ahead. The focus would be on life skills, etiquette, manners, and service. I wanted to make a real difference in people’s business and personal lives – to help them become the best version of themselves.”

In December 2013, Mandela died, and while the world mourned, his extraordinary legacy lived on. It is a testament to the power of his inspiration that Sykes and so many others found the determination and drive to realise their dreams. Today, the training school is the only one of its kind to be accredited by the demanding Investors in People and ILM organisations and become a Centre of Training Excellence. This organisation trains and educates leaders and specialists from NATO member and partner countries.

At the heart of The British School of Excellence (TBSOE), as it is now known, lies the philosophy Sykes learned from Mandela. Mandela epitomised the values of courage, kindness, dignity, humility, and inclusivity. His lifelong struggle against apartheid taught Sykes the importance of embracing diversity and extending a hand of friendship and support to all.

Mandela famously said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”, and Sykes witnessed its transformative power in his own life. He dedicated himself to building confidence and fostering inclusivity through his courses, empowering people to navigate the complexities of modern society with grace and dignity.

In the classrooms of The British School of Excellence in the heart of Mayfair, and online from homes and offices across the world, students from diverse backgrounds come together to learn the art of social grace and etiquette. They discover that beyond the surface-level rules lie a deeper understanding of empathy and respect for others.

In this way, the school has become not just a place of learning but something of a sanctuary, where students of all levels tell him of finding the courage to embrace their true selves and forge connections that transcend differences. As they venture out into the world, armed with confidence and kindness, he sees them carrying with them the legacy of Nelson Mandela and the timeless wisdom of etiquette—knowing that true change begins with how we treat one another.

* The British School of Excellence runs courses for adults, teenagers and children to become better, more confident and effective individuals. For details visit https://thebritishschoolofexcellence.com/