President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to lead the International Nelson Mandela Day 2022 commemoration at Gqeberha

By Samantha Allen

Published: July 18, 2022 | 8:45 AM GMT

The International Nelson Mandela Day 2022 commemoration will be led by President Cyril Ramaphosa today in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, where he will launch the Clear Rivers Campaign.

On Nelson Mandela Day, which honours the former president’s birthday, everyone is encouraged to spend at least 67 minutes of the day helping the less fortunate or performing deeds of kindness in the neighbourhood.

President Ramaphosa is anticipated to be accompanied by Senzo Mchunu, Minister of Water and Sanitation, Oscar Mabuyane, Premier of the Eastern Cape, and Eugene Johnson, Mayor of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality, according to a statement from the Presidency.

The Nooitgedacht Water Treatment Works, which is used to move water from the Gariep Dam and into the water-stressed Metro, will also be the subject of a site inspection led by the President.

The Swartkops River in Veeplaas would then be cleaned up under their direction, the Presidency announced.

The government is taking action to alleviate the major water issues the metro is now experiencing.

The drought issue facing Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality is unprecedented.

According to Section 63 of the Water Services Act, the Minister of Water and Sanitation has intervened to implement a number of measures to address this issue with the support of the Minister of COGTA and the Premier of the Eastern Cape, the Presidency stated.

About Samantha Allen

Samantha Allen is a seasoned journalist and senior correspondent at TDPel Media, specializing in the intersection of maternal health, clinical wellness, and public policy. With a background in investigative reporting and a passion for data-driven storytelling, Samantha has become a trusted voice for expectant mothers and healthcare advocates worldwide. Her work focuses on translating complex medical research into actionable insights, covering everything from prenatal fitness and neonatal care to the socioeconomic impacts of healthcare legislation. At TDPel Media, Samantha leads the agency's health analytics desk, ensuring that every report is grounded in accuracy, empathy, and scientific integrity. When she isn't in the newsroom, she is an advocate for community-led wellness initiatives and an avid explorer of California’s coastal trails.