​On Saturday, 19 July 2025, the Social Development Athletic Club members took part in the Mandela Day Walk and Run Race at Wanderers Stadium in the Central Corridor.

This annual event is an important occasion for celebrating Nelson Mandela's legacy of unity, service, and compassion. It is dedicated to promoting community service and inspiring positive change within our communities.

About 10,000 walkers and runners united to spread kindness and make a positive difference in their communities. Participants had the opportunity to select from three distances: 5km, 10km, and 21km.

The 5km route went through parts of Illovo and Melrose North, while the 10km and 21km routes used sections of Houghton Estate, passing by iconic sites such as the Nelson Mandela Foundation and Nelson Mandela's residence.

Different athletic clubs, families, and friends came in numbers, with young mothers pushing their little ones in strollers and older persons walking to maintain their health.

A 33-year-old Thulasizwe Maseko, a security officer, says he feels honored to be part of the Mandela Race since it was his first time participating in the race. Maseko joined the Social Development Club last year after being inspired by one of the officials, Thabo Machete.

“I thought the club was only for the officials, but to my surprise, I received a warm welcome on the first day of training. Since then, I have never looked back after participating in my first race with ABSA,” says Maseko.

Maseko's dream is to qualify for the Comrades Marathon next year like the other officials. He says being a member of the club has taught him many things and today he feels proud. What he likes about the officials is how they treat him as one of them instead of undermining him.

Maseko would like to encourage other security officers and cleaners to join the club for a healthy lifestyle and to interact with people from different places.