Luthuli walk to honour the legacy of a liberation icon
The legacy of Chief Albert Luthuli will once again be honoured through the annual Luthuli Walk and Fun Run, taking place on Saturday in Groutville.
This year's event carries added significance, as it coincides with the recent reopening of the inquest into Luthuli's death in 1967.
Luthuli remains one of South Africa's most revered political icons and was the first African recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.
Launched in 2016, the Luthuli Walk retraces the final steps of the late chief, who was reportedly killed by a train on the railway bridge over the uMvoti River on July 21 in 1967.
Decades later, questions still linger around the circumstances of his death.
The Pietermaritzburg High Court has reopened the inquest, with a verdict expected in October.
More than just a tribute, the commemorative walk and fun run aim to celebrate Luthuli's enduring legacy while promoting social cohesion, healthy living and the growth of local tourism and entrepreneurship.
The 11.5km walk and 7.7km fun run will both start at the Luthuli Museum, located on Nokukhanya Luthuli Street in Groutville, with staggered start times at 7am and 7.30am, respectively.
Participants are encouraged to collect their race packs at the Luthuli Museum on 17 or 18 July, between 10am and 8pm.
No collections will be allowed on the day of the event unless prior arrangements have been made.
Contact the Luthuli Museum at 032 559 6824 or email [email protected].
Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news.
Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here or if you're on desktop, scan the QR code below.
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Maverick
5 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
Sexual harassment cases at SA universities often fall through cracks, warns gender equality body
The Commission for Gender Equality says officials at some higher learning institutions lack the skills to respond to sexual harassment cases of students. Appearing before the parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Higher Education on Wednesday, 16 July, the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) cited a 2024 report that there is a lack of implementation of policies to address sexual harassment cases, and some universities lack the capacity to assist students. 'There are challenges around case management; there is a skills shortage among officials that are first responders… This led to many of the students stating that they would not report sexual harassment because they see that some of the alleged perpetrators are walking around because of cases that go through the cracks due to these skill shortages,' said Naledi Selebano, the acting head of research and policy at the CGE. The CGE is responsible for promoting respect for gender equality, and the protection, development and attainment of gender equality. 'There are staff shortages and issues of caseload wherein one individual is dealing with or responsible for the entire institution, including numerous campuses, because with universities, they may have multiple campuses and not just one,' Selebano told the committee. 'There are issues around weaknesses with the protection: sometimes witnesses are reluctant to come forward; they do not want to be subjected to the process of hearings, and sometimes they lack the confidence to speak about issues of sexual harassment as well as to support the complainant.' The CGE said that pay disparities persisted along gender and race lines at SA's tertiary institutions, particularly at senior post levels, disadvantaging women and African professionals. However, some universities, such as Stellenbosch University (SU), have initiated pay audits and allocated funding to address disparities. The CGE found that while most tertiary institutions have GBV and sexual harassment policies, implementation is inconsistent. The head of legal services at CGE, Tsietsi Shuping, said: 'In many instances, victims do not report due to fear of stigma, retaliation, or uncertainty about institutional procedures. Many institutions have policy gaps on this issue. For instance, many universities lack comprehensive policies that directly address GBV; instead, focusing only on sexual harassment. 'There is often a gap between policy and practice, with poor enforcement of existing regulations. Research has also shown that universities sometimes downplay incidents of GBV to protect their reputation.' NSFAS delays Shuping said the delayed distribution of funds by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) contributed to students feeling vulnerable and becoming victims of sexual harassment. 'These delays may contribute to increased vulnerability to gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), as they often place students, especially during the registration period, under significant financial and emotional stress. Beyond tuition and accommodation, students also face urgent needs such as access to food.' The chairperson of the portfolio committee, Tebogo Letsie, said these matters of the safety and security of students must be resolved. Letsie and MP Yanga Govana called on the deputy minister of higher education and training, Mimmy Gondwe, to ensure that NSFAS responds to the issue of allowances being released on time because some students find themselves in a harsh position and have sexual relationships with older men to get money. Gondwe said, 'We're meeting on the 5th of August with NSFAS so that we can bring them on board regarding the concerns raised around the delayed payments that Honourable Govana mentioned.' The CGE recommended that all people who deal with sexual harassment must be trained on victim- or survivor-first responder approaches. Uncomplicated, pragmatic policies must be developed and structures put in place at all higher education institutions, including Technical and Vocational Education colleges and Community Education and Training centres, to address sexual harassment. DM
The South African
6 hours ago
- The South African
Mkwanazi march turns chaotic as protesters storm SAPS building
The #HandsoffMkhwanazi march turned chaotic when marchers made a U-turn to the South African Police Service Provincial Head Office in Durban to show their support for KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. The march was supposed to start at Curries Fountain Sports Development Stadium and end at Hoy Park. It was intended to show support for Mkhwanazi after he made damning allegations against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu for interfering in police investigations and disbanding a task team investigating political killings. The march was nearing its end when protesters suddenly turned in a different direction. Police rushed to block the marchers; some were standing outside the headquarters with their guns and shields to protect themselves from the protesters. The South African spoke to one of the marchers, who chose to remain anonymous, on why they redirected the protest to the SAPS headquarters.' 'To be honest, we are angry and sick and tired of what's happening in this country. Mkhwanazi is a hero for being brave enough to tell us of the hidden things in this country. The president did not show that he took this thing seriously and just put Mchunu on leave while he was supposed to suspend him.' 'That's why we are here today to show support for Mkhwanazi. We, as South Africans, are saying Hands off Mkhwanazi. This country must be free from thieves and criminals,' said the anonymous protester. National Police Commissioner Fanie Masemola urged the public to comply with the commission of enquiry that the president has implemented. 'From my side, all I'm requesting from society is that the president has spoken and there is a commission appointed; let's give the commission time to do its work. Let us continue with our lives, but at the same time let's work with the police,' said Masemola. He added that citizens should not damage any infrastructure and should behave responsibly. He says, 'Don't even think of damaging a light pole or a dustbin. Let's behave, let's be responsible and wait for the process that has been announced by the president. Let us cooperate with police.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
9 hours ago
- The South African
Gqeberha protesters throw poo at ward members
Residents of Wells Estate in Gqeberha launched a fiery (and smelly) protest that brought the area to a halt. The unrest began on Monday night when protesters from Rabie Village, angry over long-overdue electricity meter boxes, dumped human waste outside the local clinic and the homes of ward committee members. By Tuesday, roads were barricaded, a bus and a panel van had been torched, and tensions ran high. Residents say they've been waiting since November last year for electricity connections that were promised to them by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. On top of chucking poo, protesters also hurled a petrol bomb at the local councillor's office. 'Community members started burning tyres and rubbish in front of the multi-purpose hall,' police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse Van Rensburg said in a statement. 'No one was injured. SAPS is currently monitoring the situation in Wells Estate.' According to Chwayita Adoons, assistant to Gqeberha ward 60 councillor and Mayco member for Human Settlements Thembinkosi Mfana, around 4 000 meter boxes were delivered to the municipality, but very few reached Rabie Village. Of the 985 households in the area, only 40 meters were brought in during a recent installation attempt. 'We wrote a letter to the residents, informing them that the boxes would be delayed,' Adoons told GroundUp . 'We did not have a specific date for delivery.' When the contractor arrived with just 40 boxes people rejected them outright, said a community member who wished to remain anonymous. 'We are all angry, asking one another who was going to benefit from those 40 boxes.' 'People then decided that the boxes should go back, and the contractor should only return when they have boxes for every household.' The poo protesters are also demanding the release of two women who were arrested for public violence during the demonstrations. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
