To highlight the catastrophe of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) that has plagued the country, John Leshilo (39) and Samuel Moela (34) have embarked on a walk from Leeuwfontein, outside Marble Hall, to the Beitbridge Border Post near Musina.

John, who is living with a disability, and Samuel started their 367km awareness walk on September 20 and had initially planned to reach their destination 10 days later.

Samuel shared that they were joined by Silence Baloyi (23) from Phetwane Village, 30km from Leeuwfontein, at whose household they were accommodated and slept the first night.

He stated that due to muscle challenges in the legs, Silence decided to halt his journey at the Mall of the North in Polokwane.

However, John and Samuel persevered, ensuring that communities along their way received the message against GBVF.

“People get our message loud and clear and have shown great support for the initiative. Some along the road shared with us their devastating experiences of gender-based violence and femicide. Others told us of how they lost their sisters, brothers, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, mothers and fathers as a result of this calamity called gender-based violence and femicide,” Samuel said.

He said the journey was not without challenges, “Despite the confrontations, we continued to walk with the hope that communities become aware of the seriousness of the matter,” Samuel added.

The activists said that the effort was not about getting sponsors but helping to raise awareness on the senseless abuse and killing taking place in the country.

“This is not about money. The only form of support we needed was food, water, and accommodation. And we remain thankful to those who reached out.”

The Observer Daller called the pair today (October 16) when they were about 15km from the Beitbridge Border Post.

They shared that due to sheer exhaustion, the endpoint would successfully be reached on Friday.

They confirmed that transport had been organised to ferry them back to Leeuwfontein on Saturday.