Scores of enthusiastic Joburgers dressed in sports attire turned up for the annual MTN Walk the Talk with 702 on Sunday, 22 July, to take a stroll around the leafy suburbs of Emmarentia and Westcliff in an effort to highlight the plight of varies charities they support.
The walk, which had three categories, including a 15km, 8km and 5km fun run, could be the reason why participants from across Joburg are a little sore at work today.
The event started with early risers tackling the gruelling 15km walk that meandered through Wits University, past the Constitution Hill through Parktown until they reached leafy Emmarentia. Throughout the walk, thousands helped themselves to water and energy drinks to keep their spirits up along the way.
The second group, which embarked on the less tough 8km walk, felt a lot safer as the Joburg Metro Police Department’s Chief David Tembe joined in the festivities, flanked by his support staff. Before the starter’s gun went off, Chief Tembe told Radio 702’s Aki Anastasiou that more than 1 200 JMPD officers had been deployed around the route to ensure walkers’ safety.
“Residents of the City of Johannesburg need to be aware that since Operation Buya Mthetho started last year, hundreds of wrongdoers have been arrested and un-roadworthy vehicles have been taken off our streets. The JMPD means business and we’re reclaiming our streets from criminals,” Chief Tembe told the animated radio jock.
The South African Police Service’s Air-wing Division did a fly past, much to the excitement of walkers, who cheered on before rolling out of Judith Street in Emmarentia towards Melville and back.
Some of the charities and social causes participants walked for are anti-racism, mental health, the Naledi Youth Leadership Programme, and the Empower a Girl to Lead campaign, which aims to highlight the plight of the girl child, especially on issues of teenage pregnancy, increased rated of HIV infections, gender-based violence as well as inequality and its underlying causes.
Speaker of Council in the City of Joburg, Cllr Vasco da Gama, also laced up his tekkies to participate in the fun-filled 5km walk, chatting to fellow walkers and inviting them to explore the multi-million rand oval council chamber in Braamfontein, to keep abreast of municipal developments.
The MTN Walk the Talk with 702 is hosted by the City of Joburg.
