We’re off on our 2026 virtual cycle/walk/run challenge!
Week 3 progress update from
Speedy Springbok …
Well, here we are in Ocean View – dramatically different from Hout Bay. It is an area notorious for drugs and gang warfare but right in the middle is an oasis – a preschool set up and run by Johann Kilkullis and his charity, Soteria Ministries. It is quite a challenge because many of the children come from severely dysfunctional families and need significant emotional support. The school buildings are converted shipping containers set behind a high fence. There are about 100 children who receive e’Pap breakfast before school starts each morning.
Johann also works with a pastor in an informal settlement on the Cape Flats, Jim se Bos, another area where drugs and alcohol are major problems. As you can see from the picture below, living conditions are dire and hence the e’Pap breakfasts are vitally important for the health and wellbeing of the children. Note: This area is dangerous so we have excluded it from the Trek route.
From Ocean View it is another short journey (50 km) to Gugulethu, a sprawling township not far from Cape Town Airport. The housing is a mixture of solid brick builds alongside wood and corrugated iron shacks. Tucked away amongst the shacks is an area called Barcelona, which is a misnomer, if ever there was one. In the middle is a family run preschool called Siyakhula (the name signifying “positive growth” in Xhosa), where about 100 children receive care, education and food, including e’Pap. And by the way, care includes dealing with challenges such as children staying overnight because of alcohol problems at home! It is strongly supported by Rotary Noon Gun, whose committed members help to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
From Gugulethu, it is on to Kleinmond, the third leg of our Trek and 100 km away via the scenic route, on the stunning coastal road that skirts False Bay. But I am getting ahead of myself. Make sure that you are refuelled (try e’Pap!) so that you can enjoy the next stage of this epic adventure!
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