Parliament, Saturday, 18 July 2026 – The Presiding Officers of Parliament, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Thoko Didiza, and Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane have called on South Africans to honour former President Nelson Mandela's legacy by building caring communities and making service to others part of everyday life.
Mandela Day should inspire South Africans to move beyond the symbolic 67 minutes of service and commit themselves to tackling poverty, inequality and social exclusion throughout the year.
This year's Mandela Day theme, "It's still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity," reminds the nation that the work of building a just and equal South Africa is far from over.
As South Africa celebrates 30 years of the Constitution and commemorates the 70th anniversary of the historic 1956 Women's March, Parliament reaffirms its commitment to advancing the democratic values that Nelson Mandela devoted his life to achieving through legislation, oversight and meaningful public participation.
While South Africa has made significant progress since the dawn of democracy, poverty, unemployment and inequality remain among the country's greatest challenges. Building the South Africa that Nelson Mandela envisioned is a shared responsibility. Parliament will continue to fulfil its constitutional mandate, but lasting change depends on the collective efforts of all South Africans.
Parliament's Mandela Month programme translates this commitment into action through community outreach initiatives that promote compassion, volunteerism and active citizenship.
Today, the Deputy Chairperson of the NCOP, Mr Les Govender, is leading Parliament's Mandela Day outreach programme in Milnerton, Cape Town, where a fully equipped computer laboratory will be handed over to Ysterplaat Primary School.
The initiative follows a request from the school after Mr Govender adopted it in 2024 and aims to improve access to digital learning opportunities for learners. The handover will be attended by the Consul General of the People's Republic of China and representatives of the Cape Town HuaXing Arts Group, highlighting the value of partnerships in uplifting communities.
On Monday, 20 July 2026, the Speaker will continue Parliament's Mandela Month programme by engaging with farm workers at the Franschhoek Valley Community Sports Complex. She will be serving warm meals and distributing blankets to farm workers.
ISSUED BY PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
Enquiries: Moloto Mothapo
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