SPRINGFONTEIN – Mental health advocate Zolani Ndalo Zondani is up with the sun in the Free State today – 23 October. He is continuing his powerful walking mission across the country to ensure conversations about men’s mental wellness are at the centre.

With a hand-carved walking stick striking the earth, Zondani began last year on a modern-day pilgrimage to ensure the silent struggles of men’s mental wellness become part of the national conversation. The achievement of walking about 800 km from Gqeberha to Cape Town inspired him to continue his mission this year.

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Up bright and early, Zondani resumed his gruelling trek from Springfontein on the N1 route, heading to Trompsburg before reaching his rest stop in Edenburg. Members of the Free State police in Springfontein sent off the energetic mental health advocate as he continues northwards through South Africa to end his trek in Johannesburg, Gauteng.

It will take Zondani about 16 hours of continuous walking to complete approximately 67 km to Edenburg.

The young man arrived in Springfontein on Wednesday 21 October and received a warm reception from residents, including officials of the Department of Social Development and the Department of Health, as well as police. During his stay he raised awareness on mental health and substance abuse at a local school and clinic, encouraging youths to avoid drugs, and to seek help for drug and substance abuse as well as depression.

Zondani has left his footprints in parts of the dry Northern Cape landscape, reaching the historic railway junction of Noupoort. He departed from Colesberg and crossed over the majestic Gariep Dam before taking a break in Springfontein.

Zondani’s trek sees him reconnect with the town that was once a strategic point for South African railways. This is where the major train lines carrying passengers and goods from the Eastern Cape ports (Gqeberha and East London) converged before heading north to Johannesburg.

Originating from Gqeberha, Zondani remains focused on ensuring that conversations surrounding men’s mental wellness and drug abuse are brought straight to the centre of our communities.

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