Fred Khumalo believes in first-hand experiences
Fred’s research and the writing of the book took two years and fortified by his determination, he took off from the University of the Witwatersrand on 7 October at 5am.
Mr Fred Khumalo, prolific writer, journalist and fitness fanatic, embarked on a journey to walk from Johannesburg to KwaZulu-Natal to experience first-hand what about 7 000 to 8 000 mineworkers went through, just two weeks before the outbreak of the Anglo Boer War in 1899.
“I was curious because I have never had an experience such as theirs,” Mr Khumalo said.
He visited the Standerton Advertiser on Thursday, 10 October and unreservedly spoke about his latest publication, The Longest March, in which the story is told about a historical march during which Zulu men, some women and children took on the journey after the mines shut down.
Since their income was threatened and the trains were used by the army, a chaotic Johannesburg kindled their desire to go home.
Their leader was no other than a royal, Prince Phikinkani Zulu, son of King Dinuzulu kaCetshwayo, who according to information, ruled the Zulu nation from 20 May 1884 until his death in 1913.
A certain Mr John Marwick of the Department of Native Affairs was approached and he wrote different letters to different magistrates, requesting that the group not be attacked or fired upon.
“Imagine to have camped and slept on the road,” the writer contributed.
Fred’s research and the writing of the book took two years and fortified by his determination, he took off from the University of the Witwatersrand on 7 October at 5am.
Wearing his orange tekkies, he walked 52km to Heidelberg and from there to Balfour and Greylingstad, before arriving in Standerton for a night’s rest at a guesthouse in Meyerville.
The logistics are in place, a driver transports the necessary bags, albeit not the first day and oh yes, he has thought of some TLC for the feet.
On to Volksrust, Newcastle, Dundee to Ladysmith for the man who runs 10km four times a week.
You guessed quite correctly, the Comrades Marathon is the next step.
“I am definitely doing it next year.”
When asked what his wife, Nomvuzo, said when he told her about his plans to walk, the reply was spontaneous:
“You are crazy,” she said.
The renowned publishing house, Penguin Random House, published his novel and to date he has also been the author of six fiction and four non-fiction books.
Fred is the winner of a Human and Social Sciences Award, joint winner of a European Union Literary Award and was short listed for the Alan Paton Prize.
As a farewell present, The Longest March, was given as a gift, inscribed with:
“Let’s tell our stories.”
