A group of twelve participants in the inaugural Indlela yoBuntu Pilgrimage Walk departed on their 300 km journey from Grahamstown to Gamtoos Valley near Baviaanskloof last Sunday (2 August).
A group of twelve participants in the inaugural Indlela yoBuntu Pilgrimage Walk departed on their 300 km journey from Grahamstown to Gamtoos Valley near Baviaanskloof last Sunday (2 August).
The group – some of whom had come from as far away as Johannesburg – had gathered at the uMeri uMama weThemba Monastery on the outskirts of Grahamstown on Saturday afternoon, before embarking on a 19 km walk along the Highlands Road on Sunday morning.
According to George Euvrard, the lead organiser of the pilgrimage, many of the participants are over 60 and are planning to walk the full 600 km from Grahamstown to Knysna.
His group will be meeting another group of pilgrims in two weeks' time to complete the entire trail.
“It takes a couple of things to do this walk,” said Euvrard. “For most people, it's a willingness to do something that they haven't done before.
But more importantly, they would have to be open to a new way of journeying.”
He added that the pilgrimage is demanding for the walkers.
“Physically, it is a challenge, because it's relentless,” Euvrard said.
“You have to wake up every morning and you walk an average of 20km to 30km per day. But we stay with farmers and churches along the way, and they're really wonderful to us.”
Euvrard, who has participated in the pilgrimage four times, says he knows the route – and all the landowners from here to Knysna – extremely well.
“We mostly walk through private lands and farms, so I've gotten to know each of the farmers,” he said.
“We get their permission and support and they've been wonderful. Along the way, they and the churches give us supper, a place to sleep and breakfast – for which we pay them.”
Fransa Cole, who is leading this year's group, participated in last year's walk and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
“It was amazing, I enjoyed every second,” said Cole.
“Sometimes it was quite hard. We had some difficult days, and I got lost once, which I don't plan to do this time around.”
“Anywhere I can walk, I do,” she said. “It’s just great to be alone in nature and meet amazing people, friends for life,” she added.
The purpose of the pilgrimage, said Gwenda Euvrard, who is also one of the organisers, is to focus on one's individual as well as one's communal experience.
“It's all about walking mindfully, so reflection is encouraged,” she said.
“We walk until half past nine in silence, which is part of opening yourself to being more reflective and mindful, and then every evening we gather as a group and reflect on the day together.”
The group are expected to arrive in Gamtoos Valley sometime on Thursday, 13 August.
