Covid-19 forces cancellation of Rev Buti Walk 2020

The fifth edition of the fun walk to mark the legacy work in Alexandra of the late Reverend Dr Sam Buti will not be held this year.

This follows the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic which has forced the organisers of the Alex walk to call off what they had described as a ‘milestone’ walk to commemorate the selfless work of the iconic former religious leader of the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa Alexandra branch.

“It is with profound sadness that we have to announce the cancellation of what was supposed to be a milestone fifth edition of the annual legacy walk,” the organisers said in a statement.It said the walk was fast becoming part of the sporting and cultural calendar of the people of Alexandra.

“But unfortunately the outbreak of the world pandemic has forced our hand not to stage this year’s event due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis engulfing the world.”

The church, together with its partners Fat Cats Athletic Club, were guided by the prescribed public health and safety considerations in making this decision, the statement added. The event was supposed to take place in September in accordance with what had become an annual tradition.

Church elder and spokesperson Harvey Phalatse said, “We are saddened that we will not be able to host this important annual event which provides us as a congregation with an opportunity to jointly, together with the Alexandra community, celebrate the legacy of this theological legend, Reverend Dr Sam Buti.

“The walk is a tribute and appreciation of his service given tirelessly and selflessly close to five decades. In agreeing to the cancellation of the 2020 edition, we are reminded of our individual responsibility for the well-being of all of humanity as the church leadership, and therefore wish to ensure that all precautionary measures in fighting the spread of the virus are in place, which include discouraging mass gatherings.”

Fat Cats Athletic Club chairman Vongani Mashile said, “It feels so empty to go a year without the event. The walk has become one of the most important events on our calendar. We were really looking forward to the fifth edition and we had some special things planned to mark the milestone.

“The pride and joy both Fat Cats and the church derive from the event can never be over emphasised. We are hopeful though that through efforts of all members of our communities, we will defeat this virus so we can soon go back to our normal lives.”