Walkers, joggers do it for Mandela
THE City centre was a hive of activity as hundreds of people geared up for the Mandela Day Walk/Jog which kicked off at the historic City Hall yesterday.
Athlone resident Daphne King said she had a wonderful time walking with people she had known for the past 30 years.
“It’s great walking on a Sunday morning, and the one thing about walks like this, is that it brings all communities together. The heartening thing about walking, is that there are many clubs that have sprung up over the past year or two. There are volunteers from Atlantis, and a little-known club from Bridgetown, which is absolutely amazing.”
The turnout, King said was not as great, and she would’ve liked to see more people.
Clint Boyce from Cape Town, said he was disappointed by the turnout, and wished more people would join in future.
“It was wonderful, but I was surprised by the number of people who turned up. I thought because it was a Mandela Day walk more people would’ve participated, I hope they do in the future,” Boyce said.
For Adam Rowlands, from the UK the experience was “excellent”.
The walk yesterday comes following a week of Mandela Day events hosted across the country.
Mayor Patricia de Lille spent her Mandela Day helping set up a new library at Uitsig Primary School. She also joined Bikers for Mandela Day to collect sanitary pads for pupils who miss school annually because they cannot afford basic sanitary products; and 100 children completed a painting of Nelson Mandela, which will soon be revealed at the Robben Island Museum.