The duo will walk to the late Nelson Mandela’s childhood village of Qunu on 18 July. The aim is to raise funds towards construction of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital, in what is being called The Long Walk to Qunu. Nkabinde and Rugheimer will walk through extreme weather conditions and tough terrain in a bid to raise R500 000 towards construction of what is said to be a world-class, highly specialised children’s hospital.
The hospital is being constructed on Wits land in Parktown, and will serve as a training and research facility for highly-skilled paediatricians in the Southern African region.
Founder of The Dark Rose Foundation and adventure enthusiast, Nkabinde said, “Irene and I are passionate about giving back and that’s how we met and ended working together on The Dark Rose Foundation. The Long Walk to Qunu project came up and who can say no to something so amazing?”
The foundation is a non-profit organisation that’s set up specifically to raise funds on behalf of charity organisations that support the alleviation of poverty and hunger, and to protect the rights of women and children.
Nkabinde said, “Madiba paved the way, it’s time we ordinary South Africans took the gauntlet and continued his amazing work.”
Spokesperson for the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital, Vuyo Lutseke said, “We are thrilled to see The Dark Rose Foundation embark on this monumental journey to contribute towards construction of the hospital.”
Lutseke said the hospital project started in March, however they were in need of as much funds as possible in order to equip the hospital with hi-tech medical devices and equipment.
Nkabinde and Rugheimer invited individuals, businesses and pupils to join them for the first 67 minutes of their walk, starting at 7am on 18 July. The first 67 minutes will be walked in silence and 27 white doves will be released.
Nkabinde and Rugheimer challenge individuals and corporate companies to support the cause by contributing R67 towards their journey.
Details: Dark Rose Foundation on www.darkrose.org.za; media@darkrose.org.za
