Anti-abuse icon passes away
For many years, Jan made headlines around Zululand and further afield, as he embarked on specific walks to raise the flag against abuse
JAN Mabuyakhulu, the man who will be most remembered for walking the length and breadth of KZN in protest against women and child abuse, has passed away following a short illness.
For many years, Jan made headlines around Zululand and further afield, as he embarked on specific walks to raise the flag against abuse.
In 2012, Jan started walking to raise awareness around women and child abuse after two young daughters of friends of his in Jozini, were brutally raped and murdered.
Since then, Jan, whose home is in Mfekayi near Mtubatuba, walked from Mtubatuba to Durban every year in commemoration of Youth Day. He also walked from Richards Bay to Amanzimtoti and even trekked from Richards Bay to Johannesburg to highlight women and child abuse.
On Jan’s walks, he would engage with the communities of towns and cities he passed through, speaking to youngsters – particularly boys – about how best to treat women and girls.
In his own words, Jan would ‘teach the boys how to be real men’.
Local government always welcomed him and would often book him in advance as soon as they heard he would be passing through their constituency.
While Jan was active on the anti-abuse front, he did not embark on his walks to raise funds, but rather to raise awareness of his campaign.
Because he was most focused on his anti-abuse campaigns, Jan did not have regular work and was unable to feed himself or his family.
He relied on sponsorship to build his house, which was not quite enough to complete the roof.
Unable to afford much, Jan’s family members require help in holding an adequate funeral for him.
If anyone is able to help, his nephew Ntuthuko can be contacted on 076 9704916.
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