POLOKWANE – Every July, South Africans commemorate Nelson Mandela’s life and spend 67 minutes to improve someone else’s.

As part of Mandela Month, Centenary Walk for Tata, a which is a non-profit organisation, recruited Malesela Mokonyama (61) as the main walker to embark on a 67km walk to raise awareness on community development.

The route started at Jack Botes Park and Mokonyama, with the help of his three assistant walkers, reached their resting point, which was the Bosveld Lodge in the Molemole Municipality. Their time was 10:55:00.

Assistant walkers Dascious, Koena and Jane Maphepa took on the challenge alongside Mokonyama and they were supported by the Polokwane Municipality as they walked under the theme ‘One nation, One voice, Unity for all’.

Mokonyama described the walk as a priority to address social issues that negatively impact communities, and has walked long distances for the development in communities for the past five years.

From 2018 the Centenary Walk for Tata actively engaged in long distance walks to raise awareness about social issues such as teenage pregnancy, human trafficking, xenophobia, substance abuse, HIV/Aids, the preservation of indigenous languages, corruption and crime prevention.

“We want communities to enjoy walking in order for them to connect with each other and encourage the youth, as well as the elderly, to say no to drugs. We want them to unite and fight against criminal activity in our communities,” said Mokonyama.

He believes walking is a good way to maintain and spread awareness about healthy lifestyle and to promote a culture of peace and respect for human rights on a global scale.

“Our streets are welcoming and comfortable for all ages. There is, therefore, nothing that stops us from being the vibrant city that is attractive and safe.”