PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Plett had a very special visitor on Freedom Day last week when Siyanda Dlamini - a man on a mission to promote peace in South Africa - made his way through town.
Plettenberg Bay's residents proved that they are behind his goal as they opened their hearts and homes to Dlamini during his stay in the area.
Dlamini started his Peace Walk 2022 campaign in late January and arrived in Plettenberg Bay around 18:00 on Monday.
25 April after walking from Knysna to Plett.
Dlamini is on a mission, focused exclusively on a campaign to promote peace throughout South Africa. This isn't his first journey; he has done it previously on a bike but thought it would be "nice for a change" to walk.
And he is so pleased he has done so. "It's much better to connect with others by walking. Walking allows me to speak with people from across different generations and backgrounds - they want to walk with me, and they ask me questions," he said.
The idea came to him in a dream, and he started his journey in Durban, finding his way to Cape Town. He said the positive energy and the positive attitudes he experienced in the Western Cape had been enlightening.
"He didn't realise the people of the Western Cape were so helpful and kind, and in particular the communities of the Garden Route "being so beautiful and welcoming".
"People have a hunger for peace, and not enough people are talking about South Africa being a peaceful society. I find people coming to me and sharing the same visions and the same desire to open doors for peace."
The aim is not to see how fast he can walk, but to share his campaign with as many people as possible and to start conversations of peace.
Dlamini is an outdoors person, very fond of nature, walking, and speaking to the youth.
"I want to share my story with everybody who is willing to listen and who also wants to see peace in our beautiful country."
In Plettenberg Bay, various businesses and locals supported Dlamini by giving him a place to stay and a bite to eat.
Bitou Speaker Claude Terblanche also spent an hour in Dlamini's company.
Terblanche said that it was an honour to welcome Dlamini in Plett and mentioned that Plettonians were peace-loving people and renowned for their friendliness and hospitality.
Dlamini commended the town for its beautiful landscapes, cleanliness, and for being very safe. He said he was inspired by the spirit of togetherness displayed by locals.
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