Four Nellmapius residents have reached the Free State on a 1 650km walk to Cape Town to raise cancer awareness and assist a child facing retinoblastoma.

Ricardo Springbok (42), Machenic Mokoena (41), Joy Mosehla (26) and Lesego Sibanyoni (37), of the Rom Springbok Foundation, began their journey on Nellmapius Drive at 07:00 on October 1.

By October 7, after walking 320km over seven days, the group made their first stop in the Free State and slept at petrol stations. They reached Ventersburg, a small town in the Lejweleputswa District Municipality, 148km north of Bloemfontein.

Trek highlights prostate and childhood cancer

Springbok said October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month globally, and they embarked on the journey to raise awareness about all kinds of cancer.

The walk was inspired by their friend Alex Phiri (38), whose two-year-old son, Thabang Motau, was diagnosed with eye cancer.

Springbok highlighted the importance of focusing on prostate cancer, noting that black men face a significantly higher risk of developing and dying from the disease compared to other racial or ethnic groups.

Sibanyoni said the foundation’s walk aims to raise awareness and educate people about different types of cancer.

Urgent call for mobile clinics and supplies

Although they left unprepared, especially regarding equipment, Nellmapius community members and their families donated funds to help them start the journey.

“We also want to deliver a message to Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi to provide workshops for prostate cancer within our communities to encourage men to get tested, and to provide mobile clinics for men, especially in rural areas,” Sibanyoni said.

He added that the walk is not easy, especially on foot without proper shoes.

Sibanyoni and Mokoena suffered leg muscle pulls and urgently required medical kits for pain relief.

Springbok added that they urgently need food, water, power banks and sleeping bags, as they sleep on the road for most of the trip.

Friendship drives 1 650km awareness march

Phiri expressed his deep gratitude, stating that his friends showed true love and care after learning about his son’s condition.

He recalled that his wife noticed something wrong with the child’s eye on the day he was born, but nurses assured her it was nothing serious and would heal as the child grew.

“The child was fine all along until two months ago when his eye got worse, and doctors confirmed it is eye cancer and needed immediate treatment,” Phiri said.

“I will never forget what my friends are doing for my child, risking their lives and sleeping on the road to raise funds for my child,” Phiri said, adding that this represents the true meaning of friendship.

Phiri noted that Springbok and Mokoena had previously served time in prison after making poor decisions, but have since turned their lives around to save others by raising awareness. He wished them a safe journey and return.

Springbok emphasised that they will not give up and will continue to support each other all the way to Cape Town.

“We are walking to increase education, promote early detection and support those affected by the disease,” Springbok said. “We are taking [it] one step at a time until we reach our goal.”

The group is wearing bright orange awareness vests and carrying a South African flag, aiming to reach their destination before the end of October.

Passers-by who see the team on the road are encouraged to wave, offer words of encouragement, or provide water, food, or other safe support.

Anyone wishing to donate funds for Motau or the group can contact the foundation directly.

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