President of the Pan-African Parliament Fateh Boutbig participated on Sunday alongside South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and thousands of citizens in the 2026 Mandela Day Walk and Run at the DP World Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.
The annual event commemorates Nelson Mandela International Day and celebrates the enduring legacy of the former South African leader, whose struggle for freedom, equality and human dignity continues to inspire people across Africa and the world.
President Ramaphosa joined participants in the five-kilometre walk, which brought together people from different ages, communities and social backgrounds. The event highlighted Mandela’s belief in the unique power of sport to unite people and promote active citizenship, solidarity and service to society.
The 2026 commemoration was held under the theme, “It is still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity,” accompanied by the call to action, “It is in your hands now.” The message calls on individuals and institutions to assume their responsibilities in building fairer and more inclusive societies.
In a message marking the occasion, Boutbig stressed that governments, parliaments, civil society organisations, businesses and ordinary citizens must all contribute to building a more just and prosperous Africa in which every person can live with dignity.
Boutbig’s participation also reflected Algeria’s continued commitment to African unity, social justice and continental cooperation. His election as President of the Pan-African Parliament in April 2026 represented an important achievement for Algerian diplomacy and strengthened Algeria’s position within the institutions of the African Union.
The event also provided an opportunity for Boutbig and Ramaphosa to hold their first meeting since the election of the seventh Bureau of the Pan-African Parliament.
The two officials exchanged views on several issues of continental importance ahead of the first Permanent Committee sittings and the First Ordinary Session of the seventh legislature. The meetings are scheduled to take place from July 20 to August 1, 2026, at the Parliament’s headquarters in Midrand, South Africa.
The encounter underlined the importance of cooperation between African institutions and national governments in addressing poverty, inequality and development challenges.
Through Boutbig’s leadership, Algeria continues to promote a united, sovereign and people-centred Africa, while supporting the principles of dialogue, solidarity and sustainable development championed by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
