Honouring Human Duties Day in the spirit of Mandela Month: JCI Sandton’s call to lead by serving

South Africa stands at a unique crossroads in the global landscape: a nation rich in potential, yet still grappling with the legacies of inequality, underdevelopment, and social injustice. 

As Junior Chamber International (JCI) observes International Human Duties Day, we are reminded that the fight for human rights is inseparable from the responsibilities we owe to one another. In South Africa—where history has shown both the cost of division and the power of unity — this moment offers an urgent opportunity to reflect, realign, and recommit to building a just society. 

Mandela Month: A Legacy of duty and service 

July, known as Mandela Month, is far more than a commemorative period. It is a call to action for all South Africans. Nelson Mandela’s life embodied the truth that freedom is not merely about individual rights; it is about the duties we all bear in building a better, fairer society. His enduring commitment to peace, justice, and equality continues to inspire us to act — not just with hope, but with responsibility. This year, as JCI Sandton anchors its 2025 theme, Leading to Serve, we do so by aligning our efforts with the spirit of Mandela Month and the principles of International Human Duties Day. True leadership is not about power or prestige; it is about purposeful action, showing up for others, and taking responsibility for shaping our communities.

1. Serving Humanity: A Mandela Month imperative 

In a country still marked by deep inequality, the duty to serve humanity takes on added urgency. Serving others is not charity—it is justice in action. Whether volunteering in underserved areas, supporting local entrepreneurship, or advocating for fairer public services, we affirm that to serve is to lead. By fostering safe, inclusive, and fair communities, we uphold both the vision of a just society and South Africa’s constitutional promise. This work aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and reflects the moral leadership Madiba exemplified. 

2. Educate yourself and teach others

Knowledge as Empowerment Education remains the most powerful tool for transformation. In South Africa, where inequality in education persists, the duty to educate ourselves and uplift others is more critical than ever. JCI Sandton is committed to mentorship initiatives, youth dialogues, and leadership development platforms that ensure knowledge is shared and multiplied. This duty speaks to empowering communities to break cycles of poverty and inequality, building resilience, and fostering active citizenship.

A local response to a global movement 

As the world faces shared challenges — climate change, economic instability, and rising inequality—the principles of Human Duties Day resonate more strongly. Yet global aspirations require local action. For these ideas to take root, we must live them out in our daily lives. JCI Sandton is proud to champion this cause. Through our focus on Leading to Serve, we are building a culture of action, service, and lifelong learning. Inspired by Mandela’s legacy and grounded in the principles of Human Duties Day, we are helping shape the kind of ethical, inclusive leadership our country and the world need. This Mandela Month, we don’t just remember. We recommit—to serve, to educate, and to lead with purpose. 

Join us. Let us honour Madiba’s legacy by living our duties, not just claiming our rights. Together, we can build the South Africa of our hopes.

By Tshegofatso Mapaya, 2025 Vice President Project JCI Sandton and Senator Michael Shackleton, National Human Duties Day Coordinator, JCI South Africa