Ramaphosa urges South Africans to tackle poverty and inequality this Mandela Day

Ramaphosa

Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on South Africans to use this year’s Nelson Mandela International Day to recommit to tackling poverty, inequality and injustice, saying lasting change requires more than symbolic acts of charity.

In his weekly newsletter released on Monday, ahead of Mandela Day on 18 July, Ramaphosa urged citizens to dedicate their 67 minutes to serving vulnerable communities while also addressing the root causes of poverty.

“As we approach this day, we consider not only the acts of service that millions will perform, but also the deeper purpose that Madiba intended the marking of his birthday to serve,” the president wrote.

Ramaphosa encouraged South Africans to feed the hungry, comfort the lonely, support the elderly and volunteer their time and skills to organisations serving communities.

“These acts matter because they change lives,” he said.

However, he stressed that former president Nelson Mandela believed poverty should not be addressed through charity alone.

“Madiba was clear that overcoming poverty is not an act of charity, but an act of justice. So on this Mandela Day, let us also recommit ourselves to the difficult task of ending poverty and inequality in our country and in our world.”

The president said tackling inequality requires both domestic reforms and greater international cooperation, including changes to the global financial system to better support developing economies and stronger commitments to countries most affected by climate change.

Ramaphosa highlighted South Africa’s efforts to keep inequality on the global agenda through its G20 Presidency last year and said government is working with international partners to establish an International Panel on Inequality to monitor global disparities and recommend policy solutions.

“No nation can overcome inequality alone; we need coordinated multilateral action, rooted in solidarity and shared responsibility,” he said.

Investing in education

Domestically, Ramaphosa said government would continue investing in education, healthcare, skills development and social protection while creating an environment that encourages investment and job creation.

“We must sustain our investment in the education and health of our people, prioritising the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable,” he said.

He added that the acts of service performed on Mandela Day should be seen as part of a broader national effort to build a more just and inclusive society.

“The acts of service we perform this Saturday are not merely symbolic gestures, disconnected from the harder business of building institutions, driving investment, and changing systems and policies. They are part of the same effort,” Ramaphosa said.

Quoting Mandela, the president concluded by reminding South Africans that the responsibility to build a better future rests with everyone.

“As Madiba said: ‘It is now in your hands.'”

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