I WOULD like to thank the eShowe community and all those who helped my son Tom Hart and his friend Simphiwe Ngcobo on their walk from Pietermaritzburg to Maputo and back.
They have named the walk ‘the John Ross Challenge’, a reference to the walk young teenager John Ross undertook from Durban to Delagoa Bay (Maputo) and back in 1827 to fetch medical supplies for his wrecked shipmates.
Tom is raising funds for a cancer organisation, Pinkdrive, in memory of his mother who died of cancer, while Simphiwe is doing it for the Empilweni Community Centre for physically challenged children in Durban.
Tom is walking barefoot and is hoping to break the world record for barefoot walking, which he will achieve when they complete the journey.
They both felt that the stopover in eShowe was a turning point in their journey.
They have had many adventures along the way and have been met with interest, support and warm generosity from all communities.
After walking through Swaziland they are now heading for Maputo.
They had a temporary setback when they had to turn back to get a licence for the trolley they were now pushing after one of the golf carts they were using completely broke down.
Thank you eShowe.
