Mandela Day: What his legacy means in today’s South Africa

Lead

JOHANNESBURG — Nelson Mandela International Day, observed annually on July 18, has become a backdrop for a wider debate in South Africa over the values the former president represented, as the country grapples with inequality, economic frustration, and growing divisions over how to address social problems.

In one corner, volunteers swept litter from the streets of Soweto, working shoulder to shoulder with migrants from across the continent, turning the day into more than a community service event — a reminder of the values of solidarity, dignity, and shared humanity. In another, a coalition of anti-immigration activists announced plans to use the occasion to inspect businesses and identify undocumented workers, drawing sharp condemnation from the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

Coverage Comparison

Reporting on Mandela Day this year reflects two contrasting narratives. One, carried by AllAfrica, highlights community service and social cohesion activities across South Africa, where residents joined migrants from Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, and other African countries to clean public spaces and distribute food. The other, reported by Al Jazeera and Deutsche Welle, focuses on the divisive actions of the March and March coalition and the broader context of xenophobia and economic inequality.

Al Jazeera's coverage emphasizes the debate over Mandela's legacy, noting that the Nelson Mandela Foundation has condemned the use of Mandela Day to target migrants. Deutsche Welle's reporting similarly critiques xenophobia and economic inequality, quoting experts and officials on the current state of South Africa. AllAfrica's coverage, by contrast, is positive and uplifting, quoting community volunteers and migrants participating in Mandela Day activities.

Key Claims

• Nelson Mandela International Day, established by the United Nations in 2009, encourages people to devote at least 67 minutes to community service in honor of the 67 years Mandela devoted to public life and the struggle for justice.
• The March and March coalition, which has organized protests across South Africa in recent months, said it would use Mandela Day to inspect businesses in towns across the Eastern Cape, Mandela's home province, and identify undocumented workers and businesses they allege are operating illegally. The group argues that the government has failed to secure the country's borders, enforce immigration laws, and prioritize job opportunities for South Africans.
• The Nelson Mandela Foundation condemned the move, with CEO Mbongiseni Buthelezi telling Al Jazeera: "What we do see now is something that is quite divisive and quite unhelpful, and it is something that we absolutely condemn. We have seen some groups saying they are going to use Mandela Day to rid cities of immigrants. We condemn that unequivocally. That is unacceptable."
• South Africa faces intense economic pressure, including high unemployment and inequality. The government has deported or repatriated over 53,000 foreign nationals since a nationwide migration operation began, as reported by Al Jazeera.
• South Africa remains one of the world's most unequal societies, 32 years after the end of apartheid, according to Deutsche Welle.
• Critics say migrants have become a focus for anger over wider government failures, including unemployment, crime, irregular migration, and poor service delivery.
• Snuki Zikalala, president of the ANC Veterans' League, said Mandela would never have condoned the targeting of African migrants, as reported by Deutsche Welle.

Perspectives

Nelson Mandela Foundation: The foundation, through CEO Mbongiseni Buthelezi, condemned the use of Mandela Day to target migrants, calling it "divisive and unhelpful" and saying it undermines the principles of dialogue, constitutionalism, and human dignity that shaped Mandela's public life.

March and March coalition: The group argues that the government has failed to secure borders and enforce immigration laws, and says it will use Mandela Day to physically remove undocumented immigrants from towns and workplaces, prioritizing job opportunities for South Africans.

Community volunteers and migrants: Participants in Mandela Day activities, such as Thandolwenkosi Maseko from Soweto and Farai Chiweshe, a Zimbabwean electrician, emphasized the importance of unity and shared humanity, with Maseko saying, "Mandela taught us that our shared humanity is greater than our differences. We honor his legacy by standing together as Africans and rejecting hatred."

Social worker Mpho Tsotetsi: Quoted by Deutsche Welle, Tsotetsi said frustrations are easily directed at foreigners, who are often seen as competitors for jobs, but she does not see Mandela's dream as shattered, only challenged. "Mandela envisioned a South Africa built on reconciliation, respect for human dignity, and African solidarity," she said.