#WalkwithUs2017: Siyabonga Matabeleland

Warren Handley and Tom David are former Aluwani interns from SA walking the same distance in reverse to mark the 10th anniversary of that trip. As they walk, they reach out to the rural communities to talk about the importance of early childhood development.

This is how they got from Victoria Falls to Bulawayo.

“When we planned this walk in 2016, neither of us was comfortable about walking through Zimbabwe but felt it would be safer than the game parks of Northern Botswana.

Leaving Vic Falls, we were cautious. Not only were we in a new country but one which is notorious for giving foreigners a tough time.

But that was not our experience. Cars constantly stopped to ask if we were OK, and most offered food and drink which we gratefully accepted. Our $2 a day allowance wasn't stretching very far!

“This was also the first time we had to camp in the bush on the side of the road. It was liberating but meant we didn't interact as much with local people as we wanted to. That changed the night before Bulawayo.

“At dusk, we were prevented from entering the bush by barbed wire fences. So, we searched for the headman who could tell us where to pitch our tent. He welcomed us into his home.

“Over dinner, Gogo, his wife shared the history of Matabeleland and the Ndebele people, including the Chimurenga, a war between the Ndebele and Shona. It was an interesting but heartbreaking tale, and it made it harder to say goodbye in the morning.

“Siyabonga Matabeleland.”

For more info, click here. View more galleries from the #WalkwithUs2017 journey.