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Zolani Zondani and Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis in Cape Town after Zondani walked 800km from Gqeberha.
Supplied by City of Cape Town.
- Sales consultant Zolani Zondani walked about 800km from Gqeberha to Cape Town to raise awareness about men’s mental health.
- The walk launched his initiative, “Broski – The Living Experience,” aimed at creating safe spaces for men to express vulnerability and challenge toxic masculinity.
- With support from strangers, law enforcement, and even Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, Zondani’s journey gained national attention and highlighted the need for greater support for men’s emotional well-being.
After walking about 800km from Gqeberha to Cape Town, 28-year-old Zolani Zondani has completed a powerful personal journey dedicated to raising awareness about men’s mental health, which was inspired by the loss of his younger brother to drug addiction.
Zondani began his trek on 13 October, with a backpack of clothes, two bananas, an apple, three bottles of water, and a hand-carved walking stick - all while documenting each day to his more than 60 000 followers on Facebook.
He arrived in Cape Town on Tuesday to cheers, media attention, and a warm welcome from Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.
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He was even escorted into the city by law enforcement officers and supporters.
“No one just randomly wakes up and books leave from work to walk to Cape Town,” said Zondani.
“I did this for a greater purpose, to break the silence around men’s mental health.”
A dream called ‘Broski’
Zondani’s journey marked the launch of his mental health initiative, “Broski – The Living Experience”, which aims to create safe spaces for men to open up emotionally, challenge toxic masculinity, and support one another.
“’Broski’ comes from the slang for brother,” he explained. “It’s for men willing to be open with each other. We’ve been taught that real men don’t cry, but sometimes, tears say more than words.”
Zolani Zondani leaving his Gqeberha home on his trek to Cape Town.
Supplied by Zolani Zondani
Zolani Zondani leaving his Gqeberha home on his trek to Cape Town.
Supplied by Zolani Zondani
Zolani Zondani leaving his Gqeberha home on his trek to Cape Town.
Supplied by Zolani Zondani
Having grown up without a father figure and seeing his brother spiral into addiction, Zondani said his goal was to ensure other young men did not become another statistic.
“I couldn’t save my brother, but I can help others,” he said.
Community support and the power of social media
Before setting out, Zondani shared his plan on various social media platforms and called for support — not handouts, he clarified, but rather contributions towards a cause.
South Africans responded with generosity: offering food, accommodation, e-wallet transfers, and encouragement.
He said:
People from all walks of life helped me. I stayed in Airbnbs, was fed, and even had strangers send me money just so I could keep going.
“Ubuntu is still very real in South Africa,” he added.
Despite the physical pain he experienced, including blisters, exhaustion, and even being chased by monkeys in Knysna in the Western Cape, the kindness he encountered kept him going.
“This has been a crazy, beautiful experience. I’m so grateful. The support showed me this organisation is needed.”
A national vision
Zondani plans to register “Broski and use the funds raised during the walk to secure building materials for the first centre in the Eastern Cape, with future branches planned across South Africa.
“I documented every step on social media so people could track the journey and understand the bigger picture. Men need safe spaces to talk. We go through a lot, silently.”
People stopped Zolani Zondani along the various routes to take pics with him and to gift him food for the long road.
Supplied by Zolani Zondani
People stopped Zolani Zondani along the various routes to take pics with him and to gift him food for the long road.
Supplied by Zolani Zondani
People stopped Zolani Zondani along the various routes to take pics with him and to gift him food for the long road.
Supplied by Zolani Zondani
He intentionally ended his walk in Cape Town, citing the city’s visibility and the challenges faced by many men who move there for work, often leaving family support systems behind.
“Adjustment is hard. Loneliness and pressure break men down. This isn’t just an Eastern Cape issue; it’s a national one,” Zondani said.
A hero’s welcome
As he approached Sir Lowry’s Pass, dozens of people, media crews, and law enforcement officials gathered to welcome him.
Some even joined him for the final leg to the CBD, where Hill-Lewis was waiting.
“It was emotional,” Zondani recalled.
“I never thought a mayor would be there to welcome me. He was kind, supportive, and fully behind the initiative.”
People stopped Zolani Zondani along the various routes to take pics with him and to gift him food for the long road.
Supplied by Zolani Zondani
People stopped Zolani Zondani along the various routes to take pics with him and to gift him food for the long road.
Supplied by Zolani Zondani
Hill-Lewis praised the walk as remarkable and said Zondani had successfully drawn attention to an often-ignored crisis.
“His walk reached hundreds of thousands. It was heartwarming to welcome him. Well done to him, and I hope he enjoys Cape Town,” said the mayor.
Zondani said he would spend a few more days networking in Cape Town before returning to Gqeberha for work.
“I can’t be on leave forever,” he smiled. “I’ve got a dream to keep funding.”
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