On Wednesday 18 May at 12PM hundreds of people wearing red socks and waving South African flags are expected to take part in a procession from the Southern Sun Waterfront to the Grand Parade to celebrate South Africa as a Country of diversity and hope.
The procession is inspired by and in support of the annual ‘Unogwaja’ challenge, an 11-day journey where a group of passionate people follow in the footsteps of Phil Masterton-Smith. In 1933 the 21-year-old Phil, also known as Unogwaja, meaning ‘hare’ in Zulu, could not afford a train ticket from Cape Town to Pietermaritzburg to take part in the Comrades Marathon. Phil followed his heart and cycled to Pietermaritzburg instead and finished the Comrades Marathon in tenth place.
On Thursday morning 19 May twelve cyclists from six different countries, will represent the hearts of people from all around the world when they set off to embark on the sixth Unogwaja challenge, cycling from Cape Town to Pietermaritzburg in 10 days and then running the Comrades Marathon on the 11th day.
“Everyone’s journey is different but together we are our country’s legacy and it is something worth fighting for. I invite and encourage everyone to put on red socks (ShoOops), which remind us that we represent one humanity, or to come with a South African flag and take part in the procession,” says John McInroy, Founder of Unogwaja.
At the heart of Unogwaja lies the Unogwaja Light Fund which generates financial support for community-based organisations in South Africa focusing on education and skills development. Empowerment and self-reliance are the core values of each of the organisations supported by the Light Fund, also known as ‘Unogwaja Lights’. The Unogwaja Light Fund currently has three Unogwaja Lights, namely Umsilinga Primary School in Pietermartizburg, Vukusebenze in Cradock and Lebone Villiage in Bloemfontein. To date Unogwaja has raised R1 022 168 this year.
There will also be a procession from Natal Carbineers Drill Hall in Geere Street Pietermaritzburg to the City Hall at 12:00 on Saturday 28 May when Unogwaja, arrive in Pietermaritzburg.
The cyclists, Unogwajas, this year consist of Chris Adams from College Station, USA, Aline Carvalho from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Greg Dove South African residing in Camberley, England, Andrea Moritz from Ottawa, Canada, Craig Wiseman from Perth, Australia, Dale Bannatyne from Witbank, Peter Grunow from Durban, Amanda Cromhout, Brit residing in Cape Town, Miguel Netto, Guinivere Rogers and Ian Martincich from Cape Town and Soweto born Nathaniel Mabetwa who will lead the team. The cyclists will make their way to Pietermaritzburg through Robertson, Calitzdorp, Willowmore, Graaff-Reinet, Cradock, Lady Frere, Maclear, Kokstad and Richmond in 10 days and then run the Comrades on the 11th day.
For more details, please visit www.unogwaja.com, or find them on Twitter @TheUnogwaja, Facebook UnogwajaChallenge, Instagram theunogwaja and YouTube unogwaja challenge, #unogwaja.
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