MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Since 1 October, Marius Swanepoel (58) and his stepson, Colin van der Berg (16), have been walking for 120 days.
The two of them left Shelley Beach, KwaZulu-Natal, where they live, with their sights set on completing an ambitious 4 500km walk along the South African coastline as part of Swanepoel's Journey of Hope NPC.
The NPC raises funds for the early education of disadvantaged children in South Africa.
Swanepoel and Van der Berg made a stop in Mossel Bay on Wednesday 28 January, enjoying a meal before spending the night at the Point Caravan Park.
By that point, they had completed 2 425km.
They told Mossel Bay Advertiser their final destination is Alexander Bay, a town in the Northern Cape situated near the Namibian border.
Inspiration
The inspiration behind Swanepoel's NPC stems from Van der Berg, whom he met through a relationship with his mother when he was eight.
At the time, due to some challenges at home, Van der Berg had never been to school.
Since then, Swanepoel has supported him with his education, and felt he wanted to extend that support to other children in similar circumstances.
As for the walk along the South African coastline, it was something on which Swanepoel had always wanted to embark. He told the Advertiser the opportunity arose while he was house-sitting for a friend.
When some renovations on the house began, he grabbed a suitcase, two pairs of clothing and two pairs of shoes, and decided to begin the strenuous journey almost immediately - with Van der Berg not far behind.
The walk has not been easy for either of them. Tuesday 27 January was the first time the two had been robbed since their walk began.
The incident occurred while they were walking through George on their way to Mossel Bay. The robbers only took R100, but the experience was alarming nonetheless.
Because Van der Berg has a sunscreen allergy. He has to walk under the hot summer sun wearing long-sleeved shirts, a jacket and a hat to protect his face.
This has not discouraged him in the slightest. "I've learnt a lot since we began walking, including how to start a fire, pitch a tent and read street signs," he said.
Communities a big help
Swanepoel and Van der Berg stay in every town they enter for a day or two, stopping to do a bit of work in these communities before continuing their journey.
"People have been so awesome since the beginning," said Swane-poel. "These communities have been a big help."
He hopes to one day open a shel-ter in KwaZulu-Natal for single mothers and their children.
The children he is able to assist through the NPC, as well as the ones he will be able to assist once he has his shelter, are what keep him motivated to continue walking.
"We have lots of big dreams I believe will come true," he said.
Once they reach Alexander Bay, they plan on staying in the town for a bit before heading back home to KwaZulu-Natal.
Journey of Hope
Through the NPC, Swanepoel provides funding for school clothes, school shoes, stationery, books and other necessary learning materials.
During January, he has assisted three children with their schooling needs and estimates that by Fe-bruary, he will be able to help an additional seven.
Swanepoel explained the money collected through sponsorships does not go directly to the parents of the children he helps.
After identifying a family in need, he contacts various businesses providing school uniforms, stationery or books and asks for a quote regarding the costs of these items.
He purchases these items himself, which are then handed over to the child.
The NPC primarily works with children in Grade R so that they can receive foundational learning before heading into Grade One.
A contribution to Swanepoel and Van der Berg's journey or to the Journey of Hope NPC can be made through their BackaBuddy campaign.
Enquiries: Visit Swanepoel's TikTok account (@marius0101) and Facebook page (Marius Swanepoel), or contact him on
081 317 2352.
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