The annual walk commemorating the 52nd year of Chief Albert Luthuli death on July 21, 1967 was held from Luthuli Museum to the Luthuli memorial site at the Groutville United Congregational Church on Saturday.

Cold conditions greeted the participants on the 11.5km walk and 7.7km run.

Walkers headed to the finish line at the Groutville sports ground after reaching the halfway mark at Chief Luthuli’s memorial site.

The route took walkers and runners past Aldinville Primary School, where Chief Luthuli began his school career.

Next to the school is Observation Rock where King Shaka would sit and watch his warriors in training.

The walk is organised annually by the Luthuli Museum and follows the footsteps of Chief Luthuli’s final walk to the railway bridge where he was fatally hit by a train.

KwaDukuza mayor, Lindi Nhaca, joined the walk in tribute to Chief Luthuli, the first African who received a Nobel Peace Prize.

Her participation was twofold, also making a commitment to fast-track upgrades at the Groutville sport ground.

“We will undertake the upgrades in honour of Chief Luthuli. It was here where Senator Robert Kennedy paid a visit to Chief Luthuli.

“We can all bear witness that the facility has remained unchanged. We are motivated by Luthuli’s examples of inspiring millions to join hands with the poor, the voiceless and the disenfranchised,” she said.

The fun run and walk linked significant sites to Chief Luthuli, namely Nonhlevu Shop and Luthuli Museum.

The shop used to provide a steady income for his family.

The initial walk, launched in 2016 by Zakhele Gumede, saw more than 500 people participate to highlight local history and heritage.

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