Student teacher plans to hit the road to protest against racism
"When you are a child in a rural area, you are friends with everyone. Skin colour makes no difference. It is only when we get older that, for some odd reason, we start hating each other."
MBOMBELA – He is going to walk 350 kilometres from our city to Johannesburg and the Union Buildings in Pretoria to take a stand against the killing of white farmers and police officers. He believes people from all cultures in South Africa can live in harmony, despite historical statues being defaced and racial remarks by the Zimbabwean president during a visit to our country. All he asks is that readers donate whatever equipment they can to help him achieve his goal.
It irks Mr Duncan Nyawo (37), a student teacher of Ngontini in KaBokweni, when Mr Julius Malema and Zim president,
Mr Robert Mugabe utter remarks which can spark conflict between people from different ethnic backgrounds. “It is barbaric and inhumane to think that white people should carry the sins of their forefathers. We should put the hatred and racism behind us. If black people keep killing and torturing whites, they are no better than those who inflicted apartheid.”
Nyawo grew up on a farm in Pongola, KwaZulu-Natal, and since his childhood he has been close to white people. “When you are a child in a rural area, you are friends with everyone. Skin colour makes no difference. It is only when we get older that, for some odd reason, we start hating each other.”
To kill two birds with one stone. “What will become of this country if there were no police? Now officers are killed left and right. That also needs to stop.”
He plans to take on the N4 next Monday and to complete his journey that Thursday. He will carry a flag – either of an Afrikaans primary school in the city or a company willing to sponsor gear.
“The only thing I ask, is for people to donate old hiking boots or a backpack – anything that would assist me on my journey. I don’t necessarily want money but I am in need of gear.”
Nyawo believes he is fit to take on the voyage and exercises regularly. “My spirit is fit and my heart wants to do it. I know I am doing the right thing and I know that, when a black man speaks out against the killing of white people, people will listen.”
Those who would like to make a donation can contact Nyawo directly at 076-529-8876 or drop it off at the Lowveld Media office at 12 Stinkhout Crescent.
