Two young men from Greenfield, Alberton, Thokozani Basana and Zama Nobevu, are embarking on a 700km walk from Greenfield to Durban to raise money for a youth skills centre in their community.

Alberton Record reports the walk started on Wednesday and is expected to take 10 days.

Inspiration behind the project

“What inspired this project is seeing young people neglected, seeing them on drugs and having nothing to do. We want the project to help take youth off the streets. The centre will keep them busy, helping them focus on their future,” said Nobevu.

The initiative was also motivated by the high rate of unemployment and crime in Greenfield.

“Children go to school and pass, only to come home and sit idle. There are no jobs, and this centre will give them an opportunity to learn skills that they can use to start their own businesses,” explained Basana. “Our communities tend to focus only on pushing kids to school to get certificates. Skills programmes don’t get enough attention, but they are crucial.”

Vision for Greenfield youth

Their vision is to see the centre transform Greenfield and surrounding areas.

“We want youth to start creating jobs instead of waiting for government to create jobs. Communities often complain about foreigners coming to South Africa and taking jobs, but many of them start businesses here, something we can also do,” they said.

The route and schedule

The duo will begin their journey at the Greenfield stop sign between 07:00 and 08:00.

Their route will pass Sky City and take the R550 through Heidelberg, Villiers, Harrismith, Van Reenen Pass, Estcourt, Mooi River and Pietermaritzburg before reaching Durban. They plan to walk 50–60km per day.

Challenges ahead

“The biggest challenges we expect are wild animals. We hope that we don’t come across snakes, or any other wild animals along the route,” said Nobevu.

They also expect the journey to be physically demanding, with long, strenuous walks.

The duo has appealed to the community for support.

“We plead with the community to donate water, energy drinks, food, and any other items to help us,” they said.

Donations for the skills centre

For the skills centre, they are seeking 20 sewing machines and three baking ovens, along with cement, equipment and bricks.

“We are not only asking for financial donations; everything that one can donate, we welcome it,” said Basana.

Donations can be made via their BackaBuddy page: Pariio Community Skills Centre or directly to their bank account:

Bank: FNB
Account number: 61176524370
Universal branch code: 250655
Reference: Pariio Skills Centre

Preparation for the walk

To prepare, they have been training with long walks, runs and soccer sessions.

“I usually take walks from Greenfield to Johannesburg and back just to test my physique,” said Nobevu.

“Everything is in the mind. Once you set your mind onto something, you can do anything,” shared Basana.

Skills centre programmes

The planned skills centre will offer sewing, baking and carpentry programmes, with hopes to expand in future.

“We hope to take this initiative to other areas within Ekurhuleni,” said Basana.

They have secured land for the centre next to Greenfield High School, with permission and support from ward councillor Mfundiso Fodo, who has pledged assistance. Clifford Mohau, who runs Mmohau Funeral Parlour, is sponsoring accommodation and return transport in Durban.

Breaking the cycle of crime and unemployment

With the centre, they aim to provide role models for school children and reduce youth involvement in drugs, alcohol and crime.

“We have youth smoking, drinking and involved in crime. Children see this behaviour and copy it. We want this project to change that,” said Nobevu.

The pair say they have received encouraging support from the community.

“People are happy that we are doing this and their backing motivates us,” they said.

For more information or to donate directly, contact Basana at 076 039 8513 or Nobevu at 064 013 4674.

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