Cyril Ramaphosa champions health at the 5km Nelson Mandela Walk
When Barack Obama was in the White House, photos of him playing pickup basketball or running on the grounds served as a constant reminder that wellness and high-stakes leadership walk hand in hand.
In South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa has quietly carved out a similar identity, one brisk step at a time.
Known for his love of early morning walks, Ramaphosa once again swapped his boardroom suits for running shoes and a scarf.
On Sunday, 19 July, he joined thousands of South Africans at Johannesburg’s DP World Wanderers Stadium for the annual Mandela Day Walk and Run.
Lacing up his takkies for the 5-kilometre route, the president wasn’t just completing a course; he was embodying a lifestyle and leading a critical public health charge.
President @CyrilRamaphosa completes the 5km Mandela Day Walk at the DP World Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, joining thousands of South Africans in honouring Nelson Mandela’s enduring legacy of service, unity and active citizenship.
The annual event celebrates Madiba’s… pic.twitter.com/HIjxtIxcgj
— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) July 19, 2026
The rising crisis of NCDs in South Africa
Behind the smiles and dawn selfies lies a stark reality: South Africa is facing a quiet pandemic.
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and cancer, are steadily rising across Mzansi.
Health experts have long warned that our shifting habits are catching up to us, making NCD prevention a national priority.
The primary culprit? A widespread shift toward a sedentary lifestyle.
Desk jobs, long commutes and screen time mean we are moving less than ever before. The health implications of a sedentary lifestyle are severe.
Metabolic slowdown: Prolonged sitting decreases insulin sensitivity, driving up diabetes risks.
Cardiovascular strain: Lack of regular cardio weakens the heart muscle and elevates blood pressure.
Mental fatigue: Low physical activity levels correlate directly with higher rates of anxiety and stress.
A presidential history of public fitness
This isn’t a one-off publicity stunt. The President has a well-documented history of engaging with citizens during his morning fitness routines across South Africa:
Sea Point Promenade
He famously launched his public fitness identity here right after his 2018 inauguration, strolling alongside former finance minister Trevor Manuel. He continues to frequent the promenade, recently going viral on TikTok after a local resident jokingly asked if he was on a “hot girl walk” to stay healthy.
Gugulethu
In a bid to take his fitness campaign to the townships, he hosted an official 6km public morning walk starting at 5.30am from the Gugulethu sports ground to Athlone Stadium, where he famously coined the fitness phrase “#TummyMustFall”.
Hyde Park
When in Gauteng, the president routinely takes 10km morning walks through Johannesburg’s northern suburbs. He often pauses to take selfies with early-morning joggers, residents in their morning gowns and families walking their dogs.
East London Beachfront (Eastern Cape)
Even before taking the presidency, he was regularly spotted by lucky beachgoers pacing along the East London coastline during coastal visits.
Movement is free medicine
By crossing the finish line alongside everyday citizens, the President reinforced a vital health benefit of an active lifestyle lesson: consistency beats complexity. You do not need an expensive gym membership or high-tech equipment to safeguard your health.
A brisk 5km walk costs nothing but time, yet it serves as powerful preventative medicine.
Regular walking helps manage weight, lowers cholesterol, improves circulation and clears the mind.
For a nation grappling with a burdened healthcare system, embracing everyday physical activity is the most accessible tool we have to lower NCD stats.
Fitness as the ultimate expression of Ubuntu
This event, commemorated just one day after the official global Nelson Mandela International Day on Saturday, 18 July, was held under the theme “It is still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity“.
It reminded participants that active citizenship starts with personal wellness.
While Mandela Day traditionally calls on us to give 67 minutes of service, taking to the streets grounds that message in physical endurance and community unity.
True wellness is never just about the individual; it is deeply rooted in the spirit of Ubuntu. When we prioritise our health, we reduce the burden on our families, our healthcare facilities and our communities.
Moving together in a crowd breaks down social barriers, fosters a sense of collective responsibility, and proves that our well-being is entirely interconnected.
Honouring the legacy of Nelson Mandela does not just happen in boardroom speeches; it happens when we take care of ourselves and each other on the pavement.
