Pretoria, South Africa — Mandela Walk & Run 2025 to mark 12 years since Madiba’s passing — Blanche Moila leads a Nation in tribute!
Mzansi will once again unite in honour of the late struggle icon and former President Nelson Mandela (read more about his global impact here) when the Mandela Remembrance Walk & Run (MRWR) returns on Sunday, December 7, 2025. Hosted by the Nelson Mandela Foundation (NMF) and the Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation (SACR), this year’s event marks 12 years since Madiba’s passing, inviting South Africans to reflect on his unshakeable legacy of justice, dignity and equality.
Starting and ending at the Union Buildings in Tshwane, the event will feature a 5 km fun walk, 10 km run, and 21 km run, beginning at 6:30 am. Entries are officially open at www.mandelawalkandrun.com, with proceeds supporting the Nelson Mandela Foundation’s dialogue, social cohesion and community development programmes.
For those unable to attend in person, a virtual race option is available via www.fundnation.org/mandela.
An event rooted in Madiba’s legacy
The walk continues to be a living tribute to Mandela’s vision of an inclusive, just society — a reminder underscored in his life story and documented in countless reflections, including this NOWinSA feature on global activism linked to Mandela Day.
Prof Mbongiseni Buthelezi, CEO of the Nelson Mandela Foundation (NMF), emphasised the emotional weight of this year’s commemoration:
“This year’s event holds deep meaning as we mark 12 years since Madiba’s passing. We gather to honour his vision for dignity, equality, and a better life for all.”
Gauteng MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Matome Chiloane, said the event is more than a fitness moment — it is a social movement:
“We are not just running; we are actively stepping forward for a healthier, drug-free, and safer Gauteng. The ‘Tswa Daar’ spirit is about moving from the sidelines into the arena of change.”
For those unable to attend in person, a virtual race option is available via the NMF’s Fundnation fundraising tool
Blanche Moila named 2025 race ambassador
This year’s edition proudly welcomes South African road running legend Blanche Moila — the first black woman to receive Springbok colours in athletics in 1984 — as the official 2025 Race Ambassador. Moila’s enduring influence on South African athletics — from breaking barriers to inspiring new generations — continues to resonate across the sport.
Speaking to SABC Sport, Moila expressed the profound personal significance of the honour:
“I feel deeply honoured and humbled by the opportunity to be an Ambassador for the Nelson Mandela Remembrance Walk and Run 2025. I had the privilege of being in his presence in 2001, when I received the State President’s Award for lifetime achievements. This opportunity is a big deal to me; it also validates my humble efforts to make a difference in others’ lives.”
Moila’s historic milestones — from national titles to international representation — have long made her a symbol of resilience and inclusion in South African sport. Her advocacy for women runners remains central to her legacy:
“I am content with my contribution to South African Athletics. It is ongoing. In the 80s being the first female athlete of colour to be awarded Springbok colors, I used that platform to encourage women from diverse communities to embrace running as a sport.
At the time, in some communities, myths about women in sports prevailed. Myths such as running excessively would detract from femininity, and women would not conceive. Myths now obviously disproven,” added Moila.
Her message calls on South Africans to honour Madiba through unity and service:
“This event is a momentous occasion. Reminding us of Tata — Nelson Mandela, who led by example, putting the needs of the community before personal desires.”
A platform for urgent social causes
This year’s event carries a strong social mission. The Gauteng provincial government will amplify its flagship campaigns — transforming each kilometre into a message of purpose:
1. Tswa Daar anti-substance abuse campaign
A province-wide call to confront rising drug and alcohol abuse, especially among youth.
The walk also reinforces Gauteng’s Tswa Daar Anti-Substance Abuse Campaign, spotlighting powerful examples of young people taking a stand against drugs — such as the Ekurhuleni learners whose defiant anti-drug anthem moved the CDA Summit to tears.
A call for the nation at large to step into active citizenship, community upliftment and positive social change, it echoes Mandela’s vision for healthier, empowered communities.
2. Gender-based violence prevention
Participants walk and run in solidarity with women, children and families affected by GBV. As such, the event serves not only to reaffirm Nelson Mandela’s vision of a safer society but also to underscore the urgent national response to GBV and femicide, which has been classified by the government as a National Disaster.
How to join the movement
This is more than a race; it is a national moment of unity, fitness, healing and remembrance. South Africans are encouraged to register and participate:
👉 Register here: www.mandelawalkandrun.com
📋ALSO READ: our guide for new runners here: 5 Essential Tips to Start Jogging)
