By Julia Moyo
The newly launched Nelson Mandela Foundation sporting initiative positions Johannesburg as the opening host city for the 2026 Mandela Day Walk & Run on 19 July 2026, forming part of the broader Mandela Legacy Sporting Series.
Gauteng residents will be among the first to participate in the newly launched Nelson Mandela Legacy Sporting Series, with Johannesburg set to host the Mandela Day Walk & Run on July 19.Launched at Sanctuary Mandela on May 12, the series is designed to promote active citizenship, social justice, and community upliftment through sport. The initiative aligns with this year’s Nelson Mandela International Day theme: “It is still in our hands to combat poverty and inequality.”According to the Foundation, the sporting series aims to unite communities across generations and regions through participation and reflection, while also raising funds for programmes focused on dialogue, equality, and social development.
This year also marks 27 years since Nelson Mandela established the Foundation and stepped down as South Africa’s first democratically elected president, reflecting the 27 years he spent imprisoned during the struggle against apartheid. The Mandela Legacy Sporting Series brings together existing sporting initiatives under one platform while introducing new opportunities for participation, including the Nelson Mandela Marathon in Cape Town later this year.
Following the Johannesburg Mandela Day Walk & Run in July, the series will continue with the Legacy Ride4Hope from Maputo in Mozambique to Howick in KwaZulu-Natal in September. Cape Town will then host the Nelson Mandela Marathon in October, before the series concludes with the Nelson Mandela Remembrance Walk & Run in Tshwane in December.
The Foundation said the events are intended to connect communities across cities, regions, and generations through participation, reflection, and social impact. Speaking at the launch, Dr Mbongiseni Buthelezi said the initiative creates opportunities to mobilise people around active citizenship, solidarity, and social justice.
“The Mandela Legacy Sporting Series brings together established moments of participation and impact under one platform, while creating new opportunities to mobilise people around active citizenship, solidarity, and social justice,” he said. Funds raised through the series will contribute towards programmes aligned with the Foundation’s mission to advance dialogue, equality, and community upliftment.
The Foundation added that the platform is expected to grow over time by welcoming additional partnerships, initiatives, and forms of participation.The Mandela Legacy Sporting Series will be open to people of all ages and fitness levels, with registrations expected to open soon
