Mandela Remembrance Walk and Run going Virtual

03  December 2021

Mandela Remembrance Walk & Run To Be A Completely Virtual Event This Year 

The Nelson Mandela Foundation (NMF) and the Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts  Culture and Recreation (SACR) have taken the decision to make the annual Mandela Remembrance Walk and  Run (MRWR) a completely virtual event this year.

The event, which honors and remembers the contribution of global human rights icon, Nelson Mandela,  was due to take place at the Union Buildings this Sunday, 5 December 2021, with a reduced number of 1 000  physical participants. In the wake of rising COVID infection numbers in Gauteng, however, organizers are urging all participants who have registered and who still wish to participate to do so virtually from wherever they are.

A small, private wreath-laying ceremony will be held at the Union Buildings to mark the eighth anniversary of Madiba’s passing.

Participants who have registered and who still wish to take part in the Walk and Run, which is held to raise funds in support of the work of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, can still enter online for the 5-kilometer walk or the 10 and 21 kilometer runs at mandelawalkandrun

“Given the current COVID situation and with a view to ensuring the safety of all event participants, we have decided to encourage people to please participate virtually this year and to completely reduce the number of physical participants at the Union Buildings. We apologize for any inconvenience caused, but have taken this decision on safety grounds and appeal to everyone for their understanding and continued support,”  said Nelson Mandela Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Sello Hatang.

Entrants to the popular annual event have been received from as far afield as India, Kenya, Nigeria, Portugal,  United States, Netherlands, Finland, the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Guatemala, and Sudan.

“The Mandela Remembrance Walk and Run is an event we all look forward to eagerly on the calendar and we were looking forward to gathering in numbers to celebrate Madiba’s massive contribution in all our lives.  But given the current spike in COVID numbers in Gauteng, we have decided to ensure safety first and to protect and safeguard lives. We thank all those who have registered for the event and encourage everyone  to still do so and join us safely in their own surroundings this year until we are in a position to gather again  safely,” said Gauteng MEC for Sport, Art, Culture, and Recreation, Mbali Hlophe