BLOEMFONTEIN – Mental health advocate Zolani Ndalo Zondani marks 14 days on the road since he departed from Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) on October 12 to embark on an inspirational long-distance walk to Johannesburg. He has covered more than 670 km thus far via the N1 route and passed the Free State capital, Bloemfontein, having arrived on Saturday before sunset.
Zondani said he plans to take a break in Winburg and stay overnight. Because his ultimate target for this 2026 trek is Gauteng, he will be continuing north from Windburg, bright and early in tomorrow. He is planning to be reach Kroonstad on Tuesday, which is halfway to Johannesburg.
The full journey from Gqeberha to Gauteng is expected to cover roughly 1,032 to 1,060 km by the time he finishes.
Zondani has been in the Free State since last Wednesday and has reached several residents from towns situated along the N1. Members of the SAPS in Northern Cape and Free State have ensured his safety on his mission to raise awareness on men’s mental health.
Building on his massive 800km walk from his hometown of Gqeberha to Cape Town, Zondani’s mission is to challenge societal expectations, shatter the silence surrounding men’s mental wellness, and address drug and substance abuse. He has captured the hearts of South Africans through his endurance walks.
Zondani has drawn widespread public comparisons to the biblical figure of Moses due to his long-distance pilgrimages on foot and his prominent hand-carved walking stick.
Some of the key towns and landmarks he has passed so far include:
- Noupoort (Northern Cape)
- Colesberg (Northern Cape)
- Gariep Dam (Free State border)
- Springfontein (Free State)
- Trompsburg (Free State)
- Edenburg (Free State
- Bloemfontein (Free State)
