Nelson Mandela Foundation Launches Legacy Sports Series

Launched during a media event at Sanctuary Mandela, this series arises during a period of profound reflection.

This year marks 27 years since Nelson Mandela established the Foundation and since he peacefully transferred power as South Africa’s first democratically elected President, symbolizing the 27 years he spent in prison fighting for freedom.

The launch aligns with Nelson Mandela International Day and this year’s theme, “It is still in our hands to combat poverty and inequality.”

The Mandela Legacy Sporting Series embodies this message through sports, participation, and collective action, encouraging individuals and communities to actively engage in fostering positive social change.

Inspired by Madiba’s belief in the unifying power of sports to drive social transformations, the series advocates for participation as a catalyst for mobilization and collective impact, inviting people from across South Africa and the region to take part in initiatives that go beyond competition to create meaningful change in their communities.

Four Events. One Legacy.

Over the years, the Foundation and its partners have attracted thousands of walkers, runners, cyclists, and supporters through sporting initiatives rooted in solidarity, commemoration, and social impact.

The Mandela Legacy Sporting Series consolidates these well-established events into a single platform while expanding the movement with new opportunities for engagement, including the inaugural Nelson Mandela Marathon in Cape Town.

The series includes:

• Mandela Day Walk & Run — Johannesburg (19 July 2026)
• Legacy Ride4Hope — From Maputo, Mozambique to Howick, KwaZulu-Natal (2-5 September 2026)
• Nelson Mandela Marathon — Cape Town (18 October 2026)
• Nelson Mandela Remembrance Walk & Run — Tshwane (5 December 2026)

These events collectively foster a journey of participation, reflection, and action, connecting communities across cities, regions, and generations through sports and social impact.

In his remarks at the launch, Dr. Mbongiseni Buthelezi described the Mandela Legacy Sporting Series as a platform that integrates current sporting initiatives while offering new opportunities for engagement and collective action.

“The Mandela Legacy Sporting Series merges established moments of participation and impact into a unified platform, while opening new pathways to engage people in active citizenship, solidarity, and social justice,” Dr. Buthelezi stated.

Beyond being merely a series of sporting events, this initiative serves as a rallying cry — motivating individuals to walk, run, and cycle in support of causes that champion dignity, equality, and opportunity.

Funds raised through the series will support programs aligned with the Foundation’s mission to advocate for social justice, dialogue, and community upliftment.

Notably, the Foundation views the Mandela Legacy Sporting Series as a vibrant platform poised to embrace new initiatives, partnerships, and forms of participation in the future.

The Mandela Legacy Sporting Series invites participants of all ages and fitness levels, strongly believing that everyone plays a role in shaping a brighter future.

Registrations will open soon. The public, corporate partners, and community organizations are encouraged to join, support, and amplify this movement.

Watch the launch here: https://bit.ly/3R2Ok2U

For more information, click here: https://bit.ly/3Rm0PGJ