Walking in the footsteps of Chief Luthuli

Hundreds of people from different cultures and age groups walked in unity in remembrance of the legacy of the late Chief Albert Luthuli during a walk and half marathon in his honour on Saturday.

In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Luthuli’s death on July 21, 1967, the 11.5 kilometre walk which started at the Luthuli Museum and the 21 kilometer half marathon that began at KwaDukuza, followed the route of the final path that Africa’s first Nobel Peace Prize Laureate took before he was reportedly killed by a train on a railway bridge in Groutville.

Also check out: GALLERY: Running in the footsteps of Luthuli

Chief Albert Luthuli’s daughter Thandi Luthuli Gcabashe (83), led the excited mix of people which included the grandchildren and great grandchildren of the icon.

“I admired the happy, jolly spirit everyone exhibited to create a beautiful Luthuli ambiance. We were lucky to have him as a father,” said the former South African Ambassador to Venezuela, Latin America and the West Indies.

The race participants laughed, sang and cheered their way through Groutville, passed many iconic sites that make up Luthuli’s history, like the railway bridge where Luthuli was killed, his memorial site and several others.

Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs MEC Sihle Zikalala, who later that day joined the celebration at the Groutville Sports Ground, said Luthuli was a liberation giant who was recognised internationally for his efforts to end racial segregation. He also pledged his department’s support for the walk and half marathon going forward.

“I hope it will grow into a major sports and community event for the province.”

All proceeds from the event will go towards the Groutville Intuthuko Yethu NPO formed by the Groutville community.

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