Imagine walking from Bloemfontein to Port Elizabeth, a total of 637 kms in 15 short days, with only a backpack and tent; camping on the side of the road and eating only what you’ve managed to carry with you. There are motivated South Africans who have decided to do just this! Why would they do it? Simply put – for charity and awareness!
This is the second year that this walk will take place. In 2014 Nkosinathi Manganyi and Luchantla Andrews walked from Johannesburg to Bloemfontein for their charities. After last year’s trip they announced “We got transformed on the road, and The Journey turned into a lifetime experience, that’s why it cannot end with just Bloemfontein”; and that’s when the planning started for the next stage of the walk – now named The Journey. Their eventual aim is to have left a footprint in every province of South Africa with The Journey
The Journey began on Saturday 5 September when founder of the walk, Nkosinathi Manganyi together with Vicky van Jaarsveld, a Shelly Beach resident, completed the first half of the walk as far as Middelburg, Eastern Cape for their combined charities. Nkosinathi completed the second half of the walk for his personal charities and now Vicky will begin the second half of her walk on 7th October for her own charities.
Co-founder and co-owner of Summer Heat Model & Talent Search, Vicky, will be walking with Xolani Nompume, a social worker from Emmanuel Children’s Home and Mark Ferreira from Coca-Cola. One of the charities that will benefit from this second half of Vicky’s Journey is Emmanuel Children’s Home in Middelburg, Eastern Cape who are in need of building supplies so they can extend their home and take in more children in need. Vicky will also be walking to raise funds for Bolla, a gorgeous 8 year old Maltese poodle, to have life changing surgery. Bolla has cataracts on both her eyes and has gone completely blind. The Animal Eye Hospital, based in Johannesburg with a branch in Cape Town is the only specialised veterinarian facility that will be able to perform the surgery required and Vicky would like to raise the money for Bolla to be attended to. Vicky has been training for this Journey but, knowing exactly what to expect in the second half of the walk (in the first half she was thoroughly challenged – even to having to walk with bleeding feet), she sticks firmly with the old maxim – “The Body Achieves What the Mind Believes”. Through sand storms, rain and blistering sun, diminishing food supplies, blisters and absolute exhaustion, she says what really matters is The Journey – not the destination.
This challenging undertaking is one that will take the walkers out of their comfort zone and will definitely be a journey through life at the same time.
Already a host of sponsors have come on board to assist Vicky with this massive undertaking, including Spar Middelburg EC sponsoring supplies; Coca-Cola offering Powerade and Autobody Repairs in Middelburg EC who will supply a back up emergency vehicle and a driver.
If you would like to support this initiative you could assist with sponsorship of building supplies for Emmanuel Children’s Home, or a donation towards Bollas eye surgery. Alternatively contact Vicky on vicky@summerheatsearch.co.za for more information.
To follow The Journey, please visit https://www.facebook.com/
