KZN man on epic peace mission arrives in Gqeberha
With every step, a KwaZuluNatal man is hoping his walk across SA will spread peace and bring about change in the crime-filled country.
Siyanda Dlamini, of Mandeni, arrived in Nelson Mandela Bay on Thursday having already walked 3,000km carrying the SA flag since January.
He also wears a T-shirt with the flag on it while carrying a board with the words “Peace walk 2022” and “Peace and Stability” written on it.
After staying in the Bay, he will start to head back to KwaZulu-Natal.
“I decided to start walking because I saw there was a need to raise awareness for our people against anger so that our people can participate in economic growth,” he said.
“You cannot develop yourself while you are angry. There is a lot of anger in our society which makes our communities unsafe.
“You find us killing each other and not helping each other.
“This anger is caused by gunshots every day, genderbased violence, stabbings and people not participating in the economy,” Dlamini said.
He started his journey in Durban and then went on to Mpumalanga, Gauteng, North West, Free State, Northern
Cape, Western Cape and finally Gqeberha.
While his family feared for his safety, he said he refused to be controlled by fear and was surprised that during his journey criminals were excited to see him and hear his message.
“I am not just walking as the aim is to create conversations on peace and stability.
“I move slowly to reach more people, and in some towns, I stay for a day or two.” He also visits schools.
“I sleep in my tent if I do not get to another city by nightfall. In Gqeberha three people have offered me a place to stay for free,” Dlamini said.
However, Dlamini said he did have a bad experience with the municipality.
“I was shocked when I went to the [metro’s] communication office on Friday to explain what I was doing.
“I asked for a manager and was told he was busy and not available.
“I asked them to give me contact details for a local newspaper to help amplify my message but they said they had no such details.
“I came across people who made me feel like a moron and a fool.
“This is the first time that I have come across a municipality that was not interested in even listening to me.”
He said other municipalities had assisted and even put him in touch with officials in other towns and cities.
Municipal spokesperson Mthubanzi Mniki said the communication office was busy with drought awareness programmes on Friday.
“We also held a religious sector drought information session on Friday.
“In my diary, I do not remember having an appointment with Dlamini.
“However, due to the nature of my work, I do see people without appointments if time allows.
“Giving media contacts out can’t be done as we must consider the POPI Act,” Mniki said.