Reflections of Gratitude (20 Nov 2025)

The Richness of Rhythm

The organisers of Blocktober met recently with partners from the Saartjie Baartman Centre and Sports Science Institute to reflect on Blocktober 2025 and discuss Next Steps. 

Go to the end of this blog to join the Nov / Dec 2025 events or to take other actions.

Walking and Connecting

As many of you know, throughout October 2025 we connected over about 16 700kms of walks, runs, rides and swims, and we donated. The focused nature of the walks and message this year integrated the rhythm of exercise with a destination (Blockhouse) and purpose (solidarity and economic empowerment of women).  When we walk, cycle, run or swim in solidarity with others, when we synchronise our rhythm with theirs, when we attune to each other’s steps, breath, pace, tread, this results in a new sense of connection, of relationship, of empathy, of safety.

We all feel deep gratitude for the positive impact of Blocktober and the potential for future growth and collaboration.

Personal reflections included:

• It was transformational for me – participating, listening and connecting.
• It was personalised and touched me as an individual.
• The hike was a highlight for many new participants, allowing them to tick off a bucket list item and experience the Blockhouse for the first time.
• I’m now a blockhead!
• Everyone was able to take the role they are good at.
• Safety is not just about the absence of violence, but also about healing and transformation.
• It was a privilege to contribute to the back-office work needed to make the blog work, to reach new people, and to collect stats on what happened.
• The blogs gave women from diverse backgrounds a voice.
• Remain ambitious – we nailed it and there are still many more peaks to reach.

Areas for Improvement:

• Keeping Blocktober unique - are we clear on what makes Blocktober unique?
• Our social media reach – we improved this but how do we reach more diverse groups, especially the youth?
• Branding – are we clear how to communicate our uniqueness as people found the various names and taglines confusing?
• Economic empowerment - how exactly will we support Saartjie Baartman Centre to increase the reach and impact of its Entrepreneurship Hub? 

Some Stats

• The depth, diversity and quantity of Blocktober participants increased in 2025. Most walkers were first timers with 242 unique walking individuals forming new connections. For more details, click here.
• The runs/cycles time trialist were the most regular participants over the past three years. Ascents in 2023 were 27, in 2024 66 and in 2025 there were 29.
• The Kenyan cyclists continued to inspire covering significant kms.
• Swimmers in Switzerland and Cape Town kept the ship afloat. 
• As shown in the Graph below total donations raised over 3 years is R548 295, with a significant increase in 2025. We are grateful for the generosity of 56 individuals, 1 corporate (PCI-Africa) who gave a sizeable amount and 1 regular group (Blocktober time trialist runners/cyclists, who have given over all 3 years).

Going forward

• The monthly Sunday Solidarity hikes will continue: 
• To ensure safety of participants and foster connection we will remain at a manageable size, i.e., one combi from Saartjie Baartman +  participants who walk in solidarity against gender-based violence.
• Where possible we will hold two walks a month which will allow for more participants without having large unmanageable numbers of walkers at one time.
• The launch of the Sports Science OptiFit branch at the Saartjie Baartman Centre on 28 November 2025 is a huge step forward and an example of the type of collaboration we can help with.
• Use of Donations: The Saartjie Baartman Centre will start recruitment for the Entrepreneurship Manager in January 2026 using the Donations for this purpose. To build sustainability the Centre will add to the Donations amount to ensure that the position is funded for two years. Due to the significant impact of the OptiFit branch some budget will also be used to support this. Further discussions on how Blocktober volunteers can support economic empowerment for survivors will occur in 2026.
•  Improving branding and communication – a focused discussion will be held to agree on how to achieve this, with plans to articulate our uniqueness, update the website, continue blogs, and improve social media outreach.
• October 2026 will build on the momentum and positive impact of 2025 – for example, having an anchor-person for each exercise type (cycling, walking, swimming, running). And building our global network.

Your next Blocktober steps

• Stay in touch: Join the Blocktober WhatsApp Group, also for further details regarding the events below.
• Join the launch of the Sports Science OptiFit branch at the Saartjie Baartman Centre on 28 November 2025, 10am to 12.
• Join the final Sunday Solidarity hike for 2025 on 14 December starting 7am. 
• Donate to build sustainability of the entrepreneurship interventions and to support the OptiFit branch.
• Why not read the blogs you have missed?