Mandela’s life celebrated

Love, peace and an assortment of gifts were the order of the day at the CAP ‘not so’ Long Walk to Freedom 6.7km walk for Mandela Day in Houghton.

The route formed the shape of the iconic raised fist of Nelson Mandela that has become a symbol for unbridled strength and solidarity in Houghton. It started from the late former president’s home and through the streets that pass the homes of other apartheid activists who worked with Mandela.

The first stop was at Sylvia and Leon Ruff’s house, then the homes of Michael Harmel, Eli Weinberg, Hymie Rochman, Issy and Anne Heyman and lastly the famous Helen Joseph house.

Hundreds of residents from and around Houghton braced themselves in the chilly morning as they started walking at about 6am. They brought various gifts including blankets to warm the less-fortunate citizens of the country.

CAP spokesperson Gila Klatzkin said the event was in honour of Mandela and what he had done for the country. Klatzkin said they also wanted to create a safer environment in the streets. She said, “We started a Cap run campaign in March in our efforts to take people off the streets and create a safer environment for our community. Normally it’s a night run from Monday to Thursday and it has been a huge success as we get between 150 and 300 people in one night.” Klatzkin said they alternated between Glenhazel and Waverley.

One of the participants, Ouma Khasu had a message for Madiba. Khasu said, “We at the Nkadimeng ANC branch which includes Houghton say, ‘Madiba you served us well as our comrade. We are celebrating your first birthday without you. However, we will keep your spirit alive.’” Another participant Robyn Smookler said, “All South Africans must unite in love and peace for our Tata Madiba.”

Fellow participant Siobhan Wilson said, “This is South Africa uniting in one nation, one heart celebrating all that Madiba represented, it’s in our hands now.”