By Anita Dangazele
- Zolani Zondani began his walk last week to protest crime, drug abuse and gender-based violence across South African communities.
- The 30-year-old wants to create safe spaces for boys and men to feel valued and avoid falling into gang life.
Zolani Zondani is walking from Gqeberha to Cape Town to stand up against crime, drugs, alcohol abuse and gender-based violence.
The 30-year-old set off last Tuesday and has already walked through several towns, including Plettenberg Bay, sharing his journey online as he goes.
Born in Soweto and now living in Nelson Mandela Bay, Zondani said he was tired of hearing about young people dying in violent crimes.
“Recent news reports about children brutally murdered, young girls tortured to death and young men dying in gang-related murders have made me concerned about my community,” he said.
He said he wanted to act instead of waiting for change. “Rather than wishing for people to change and for the community to be safe again, I came up with a plan to help young boys and men stay out of trouble.”
His dream is to build a safe space where men can feel “united, loved, valued and motivated to dream big.”
Zondani works as a sales consultant at OK Furniture and studies civil engineering at PE College. He said the walk has been tough, his body aches, and some people online have mocked him, but he refuses to stop.
“Though the journey has not been smooth, I am grateful I took the first step towards change,” he said.
Pictured above: Zolani Zondani during his walk from Gqeberha to Cape Town.
Image source: Facebook/Zolani Zondani
