Soldiers from the 4 South African Infantry Battalion Base in Middelburg took to local streets on Wednesday, October 28, to support cancer patients and honour those who have lost their lives to the disease.

More than 100 soldiers participated in the 7km walk, which started and ended at the base, moving along Boncker Street, Brug Street, Meyer Street and Dr Beyers Naudé Drive.

According to Captain Ntombi Magoro, the initiative was organised to show visible support to those living with cancer, their families and colleagues.

“You know, cancer is becoming rife and it used to be something that we used to think is only for old women, a certain grouping,” she said.

“But now, because it’s becoming a serious, we can almost say pandemic, it’s happening on a daily basis, even young kids as young as five.”

Campaign highlights community support

Magoro said the walk was designed to let the community know that support is available.

“We wanted to make a showcase that we are here, we care, and we give support. Because definitely, one of us or everyone has been affected in a sense where a family member, a colleague, a loved one has been touched by cancer.”

Base management plans longer route next year

She added that previous awareness campaigns were typically held inside the base to inform immediate personnel, but base management decided to take this year’s walk into the streets.

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“The base management asked why we made the walk a short distance, they expected a longer one,” Magoro added.

“But because it was our first try, next year we might be involving other stakeholders and make the walk a longer distance.”

Magoro confirmed that the walk is intended to become an annual event, with plans to expand community involvement in the future.