Tracing Luthuli’s steps…

THE Chief Albert Luthuli Annual Legacy Walk and Fun Run to be held next month will not only commemorate the anniversary of the death of ANC stalwart Chief Albert Luthuli, on July 21, 1967, but also aims to foster relationships amongst the residents of Groutville and the entire province,

It will also seek to provide opportunities for small businesses.

This annual event will be hosted by the Luthuli Museum, in partnership with the ilembe District Municipality, Kwadukuza Local Municipality, the provincial Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, and the United Congregational Church of South Africa on Saturday, July 23, from 7am in Groutville.

The walk will retrace Chief Luthuli’s footsteps to the railway bridge where he met his untimely demise, while the fun run will link significant sites associated with the political icon, namely the Nonhlevu shop and the Luthuli Museum.

The participants will be treated to a variety of food stalls, chess games, music and other activities for all age groups.

The event offers a range of activities that form part of the programme at the Luthuli Museum to celebrate Luthuli Week in July.

Speaking at the official media launch at the Luthuli Museum, MEC for Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation Hlengiwe Mavimbela said sport played a major role in conveying a message, and that the event offered the perfect platform to do so.

“The purpose of this momentous event is to teach people about the work of our fallen heroes such as Chief Luthuli, while uniting them. Getting the opportunity to relay these teachings through sports enables us to teach about the rich history of our country and the role that freedom fighters have played in giving us the freedom that we have today, seeing as so much has changed since their time.”

She said it not only presented an opportunity for sport and history telling, but also an opportunity to uplift the economy of Kwadukuza and the province following the Covid-19 pandemic, as small businesses would get a chance to showcase their work.

According to Kwadukuza Local Municipality Mayor Lindile Nhaca, the fun run and walk was open to everyone and not specifically those from Kwadukuza.

She said they were pleased to be hosting the event, as the last one was in 2019. Nhaca said the event would be an opportunity to improve the economy of Kwadukuza through various industries, such as hospitality.

Luthuli Museum chairperson Important Mkhize said guests could look forward to learning, exercising and fun-filled activities.

“As the Luthuli Museum, we are very happy to be hosting this event after so long due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We are using this opportunity to educate the masses about the things that Luthuli did. So, the runners and walkers will basically be tracing his steps,” he said.