Onke Sitwayi embarks on coastal walk to promote national unity

In a powerful tribute to South Africa’s rich heritage and spirit of unity, community builder and youth advocate Onke Sitwayi will officially embark on his annual Coastal Walk, starting this year from Mossel Bay in the Garden Route and concluding in Idutywa in the Eastern Cape on 27 September.

This year’s walk is brought to you by Dream Out Loud Africa, in partnership with Brand South Africa and forms part of the national “Wear Ubuntu” campaign, which calls on South Africans to come together under the values of collective action, social cohesion and ubuntu.

The Coastal Walk Campaign is not only a symbolic journey across South Africa’s southern coastline but also a fundraising drive for the construction of a Dream Out Loud Centre in the Eastern Cape — a future hub for skills development, mentorship and youth innovation.

“Ubuntu is more than just a word — it’s a way of life,” said Sitwayi. “Through this walk, we are reminding South Africans that our diversity is our strength and that we can build a better future together, step by step.”

September marks Heritage Month, a time when South Africans reflect on their shared history and cultural diversity. The Wear Ubuntu campaign aligns with Brand South Africa’s Play Your Part Programme, which promotes active citizenship, national pride, and social cohesion.

Neville Matjie, CEO of Brand South Africa, noted: “This campaign epitomises what it means to live the values of Ubuntu and the spirit of generosity. Onke’s walk is a journey for all of us — reminding us of our collective responsibility to uplift one another and contribute meaningfully to our communities.”

Sitwayi will pass through multiple towns and communities over the two-week walk, with key stops and engagements planned in Garden Route towns, East London and finally Idutywa, where the walk concludes on 27 September, just after Heritage Day.

The campaign will be supported through regional and national media coverage, regular social media updates and community activations along the walk route. South Africans are encouraged to follow Onke’s journey, participate in community events and show their support by purchasing and wearing the “Wear Ubuntu” t-shirt, a symbol of unity and national pride.

To purchase t-shirts, offer donations, or provide support, please contact: Dream Out Loud Africa on +27 76 251 37768 or email dreamoutloudafrica@gmail.com.