Edited by Bev Mortimer – A 28 year-old man, Zolani Zondani, from Gqeberha was given a hero’s welcome when he arrived back at PE airport, yesterday, 25 October, after having walked almost 800kms from PE to Cape Town.
There was dancing and singing and even the PE mayor was there to welcome this humble, young man Zolani and give him a hero’s welcome.
With just a backpack of clothes, a walking stick, water and fruit he walked every step of the way to the centre of Cape Town where he was also given a a champion’s welcome by Cape Town’s mayor on his arrival there on 21 October.
He describes the trip to the Mother City as being enjoyable – despite the fact he suffered from tiredness, from blisters, and from being chased by monkeys at Knysna.
He had built up a prior following on social media before he left PE on 13 October and documented his walk that he called the ‘Broski Living Experience’ and he shared his arduous trip with 60 000 followers along the way.
He embarked on this gruelling journey on foot to raise awareness and funds for his foundation, Broski, that he formed in 2020 to raise awareness of men’s mental health, and after being in pain when he lost his younger brother who died from drug addiction. He plans to use the funds raised during his trip to register this non-profit organisation, Broski, and build a centre in PE.
Zolani says he wants to create safe spaces for men to express their insecurities, feelings, vulnerability and share their struggles. Zolani is described as an inspiration from Gqeberha and for young men by the Eastern Cape Premier, Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane, who said Zolani has shown that your circumstances do not define your future.
Instead of despairing after suffering the loss of his mother and his brother he chose determination and purpose. Magubane related that through his Broski initiative to support young men and young people, Zolani is uplifting others, restoring hope, and reviving “the spirit of Ubuntu in our communities.
“I am inspired by young people like Zolani who are leading with heart and purpose, proving that when you believe in yourself, nothing is impossible.”
The premier’s words were echoed by Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s Executive Mayor, Cllr Babalwa Lobishe, who was at the airport with members of her team to warmly welcome Zolani back to PE.
Dressed in their signature T-shirts, Broski members and family members of Zolani, proudly sang and danced outside the entrance doors of the airport’s arrival hall and gave him a tremendous applause and welcome.
See more photos at kougachronicle.co.za
St Francis Chronicle 