KNYSNA | PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - One man and his best friend are trekking the country's southern coastline on behalf of the NGO Walk4Africa in a bid to raise awareness and funds for charity, with a focus on animal shelters and rescues.
The founder of Walk4Africa, Desmond Langkilde, and his husky Jaxx have been traversing the Southern Cape coastline since setting out in Plettenberg Bay on Friday 30 July.
The duo are attempting to walk 800km from Plett to the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town for two purposes - to raise funds for Cape Town-based husky rescue organisation Saviors Of Siberians (SOS), and to prepare for a second walk planned for next month.
The walk that Langkilde and Jaxx are currently tackling has given them a good feeling of the lay of the land in the Southern Cape. This will help them to correctly prepare and plan for next month's event, which is envisaged to include a larger group of walkers.
It took them five days to get from Plett to Wilderness, with a day or two of rest in between. Unfortunately there have been some frustrations.
"Firstly, from the physical event route recce/inspection perspective, the Southern Cape coastline is proving to be a logistical challenge as so many areas are not conducive for a continuous multi-day mass-participation outdoor event," he said.
"Secondly, from the 'Walk 4 SOS Huskies' fundraiser perspective, we have to rethink our walking route almost daily due to municipal and CapeNature/SANParks by-laws/policies that prohibit dogs being walked on the beaches and hiking trails."
Aside from these challenges, Langkilde feels that he and Jaxx have been embraced warmly by the people they've crossed paths with. "I'm amazed by the support and warm welcome that pet-friendly hospitality establishments have shown by hosting us overnight along our journey so far." They expect to reach Cape Agulhas today, Thursday 12 August.
Jaxx and Desmond Langkilde posing with their overnight hosts André and Laurette Botha, owners of pet-friendly Lakeside Accommodation Knysna.
Virtual walkathon
While this walk is in itself a marked and worthwhile endeavour, it only forms one third of a larger project.
Walk4Africa is also organising a virtual walkathon that aims to raise R1-million for two Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) branches - Cape of Good Hope and Garden Route SPCA.
Entries for the virtual walkathon started at the beginning of the month and will continue until the conclusion of the next physical walkathon planned for 27 September. Entrants have to complete a total of 800km worth of exercise before the end date, with the dual aim of raising awareness for the two SPCAs as well as raising funds through the entry fees and donations.
Jaxx reaches Sedgefield with just a few kilometres to go to their day-end destination on the beach.
Tourism
The physical walkathon is planned to take place from 1 to 27 September, again covering the 800km from Plett to Cape Town. It will also double as a vessel through which Langkilde intends to promote tourism in the regions he will cover.
However, Langkilde did warn of concerns surrounding the walkathon due to Covid-19. "We may have to postpone the multi-day event to next year. However, we are trying to organise a single-day walkathon event along one of the intended routes to coincide with World Tourism Day on 27 September."
For further details about the events, and how to enter, visit the Walk4Africa website.
While this walk is in itself a marked and worthwhile endeavour, it only forms one third of a larger project.
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