The sixth annual Ubuntu Hiking Women’s Day Fun Walk held in Jamestown last Wednesday (9 August) again drew hundreds of locals in a show of support.
This year, with additional late registrations on the day, 276 residents from the greater Stellenbosch and areas including Eerste River, Macassar, Kuils River, Mitchells Plain and Blue Downs joined the walk for either a 3 km or 5 km route starting and ending at Weber Gedenk NGK Primary School.
Ubuntu Hiking is an NPO based in Jamestown, run and supported by volunteer members who are passionate about hiking and youth development.
The event’s routes took participants through the school grounds and around the adjoining vineyards.
Ubuntu Hiking chairperson, Henry Carstens said the event was a resounding success. The plight of women and cancer patients is something worth highlighting and is part of the outreach and awareness initiatives of the organisation, he added.
“This is one of the many things that is taken for granted in life. We are quick to accept things. The plight of cancer patients and women is something we wanted to highlight and bring forward.”
While they had received more than 360 pre-registrations for the free walk, the lower turnout was attributed to the violence experienced during the taxi strike. “This has been very successful under the circumstances. The spirit and vibe this year was great,” Carstens added.
Recently diagnosed with myeloma, proportional representative (PR) councillor in the City of Cape Town Judy-Ann Stevens shared her journey and a motivation with those attending the event. Having broken her wrist in April, a trip to the doctor revealed a complete bombshell. “When the doctor told me I went lame. All that stuck with me was that I am going to die. I think death and cancer are associated in people’s minds, but I want to say this is not the case. It is a tough journey, but each one’s journey is unique,” she said at the event.
Stevens encouraged those who have anyone in their lives diagnosed with cancer to show them the extra bit of love and support. “Do not take your health for granted. If your body is telling you something is wrong, go to the doctor – even if you feel this is your last R500 and you can’t spend it on a doctor, go.
“As women, we tend to look after our children and husbands first and then Google our symptoms. That is what I did. For a long time, my body told me something was not right and I did not listen or go to the doctor.”
The event started with a Zumba warm up and concluded with lucky draws. The youngest participant was four months old, with the oldest being Carstens at 80.
. A photo gallery of the event can be found at www.news24.com/news24/community-newspaper/eikestadnuus
