South Africans marked International Nelson Mandela Day on Saturday with acts of service aimed at addressing poverty, inequality and access to opportunity, reflecting this year’s theme, “It’s Still in Our Hands to Combat Poverty and Inequity.”
Across the country, volunteers, government, businesses, and civil society organizations spent the day supporting communities through initiatives focused on education, food security, social welfare, and infrastructure.
In Soweto, the Nelson Mandela Foundation joined volunteers from Merchants of Light and Miss Earth South Africa at Pimville Community Hall, where grocery hampers were packed, blankets distributed and warm meals served to community members.
The foundation said the activities reflected a collective commitment to respond to poverty and inequality through practical acts of care.
Education remains at the heart of Mandela Day
Together with the Ride4Hope Foundation, the Department of Basic Education, Absa South Africa and Aspen Pharma South Africa, the Nelson Mandela Foundation marked the handover of a new block of classrooms under construction at Giyani Primary School in Soweto through the Classrooms4Hope initiative. Once completed, the classrooms are expected to ease overcrowding and improve learning conditions.
Speaking on behalf of the foundation, General Counsel Tamryn Sass said this year’s Mandela Day theme was a call not only to remember Nelson Mandela’s legacy but to actively put it into practice.
Through the Classrooms4Hope initiative, the Nelson Mandela Foundation and Ride4Hope have helped deliver nearly 50 classrooms over almost a decade.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation also partnered with the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, the United Nations in South Africa and the Graça Machel Trust to launch Thando and Fredy’s Big Adventure with Tata Madiba, a children’s book that brings Nelson Mandela’s values to life for a new generation. Inspired by the spirit of Ubuntu and aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the book encourages children to embrace kindness, courage, respect and fairness through everyday actions.
The foundation also partnered with the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, the United Nations in South Africa and the Graça Machel Trust to launch Thando and Fredy’s Big Adventure with Tata Madiba, a children’s book designed to introduce young readers to Mandela’s values of kindness, courage, respect and fairness.
Inspired by the spirit of Ubuntu and aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the book encourages children to live these values through everyday actions.
Government activities also highlighted the day’s emphasis on service delivery. President Cyril Ramaphosa joined Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina and other stakeholders at the launch of the National Water Access Acceleration Programme in Hammanskraal.
A key milestone was the launch of 67 boreholes, symbolizing the 67 years Mandela dedicated to public service.
The program forms part of Mandela Month initiatives aimed at improving access to essential services for vulnerable communities.
Observed annually on 18 July, Nelson Mandela Day was established by the United Nations in 2009 in recognition of Mandela’s contribution to peace, democracy and human rights.
The day encourages people to devote time to serving others and addressing the challenges facing their communities, reinforcing the belief that meaningful change begins with individual action.
