Preparing for my first steps (30 Sep)

Walk the Talk: in solidarity with survivors of gender based violence 

Tomorrow, 1 October 2025, we start our daily walks to the Blockhouse on the slopes of Devil's Peak in solidarity with the survivors of Gender Based Violence (GBV), what we refer to as Steps for Saartjie. 

Personally I am blown away by the support and deep engagement I have encountered in preparation for the Blocktober walks, runs, cycles and swims. This traumatic scourge inflicted on women and children can take one into a dark corner, but it is the light that gets in that lifts my spirits.  

See below our Saartjie Baartman walking stick that will go and touch the Blockhouse everyday in October. It will be accompanied by stories and love. 

Saartjie Baartman stick that will touch the Blockhouse each day in October

Walking on the mountain is a blessing, but can also require fortitude. Here are some safety and keep-healthy tips:

• Walk in comfortable shoes/boots.
• Bring something for the heat (hat & sunblock), and something for the cold and rain (water proof). 
• Bring water and a snack.
• Bring curiosity - we will walk at the pace of the slowest and stay together.   
• Leave your valuables behind - I have a donated phone so we are able to call in an emergency and no one else needs to bring a phone (but obviously your choice). 
• Track your walk on Strava using your own device. If you leave your device behind, ask me to share the Strava walk with you.
• Our best safety is a numbers - please encourage others to join. Bring your dog.
• Thank you to the Saartjie Baartman Centre for some Power2You safety bags which include pepper spray and whistles.   

Take with to keep us healthy and safe

Read other blogs in the series

Walk Details

• Date: 1 October 16.30pm
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Duration: 2.5hrs, 7.5km
• Route Vredehoek Jeep Track: From Vredehoek (mountain end of Chelmsford Rd), to Blockhouse and back. Click this PIN for starting point.

Click here to join future walks.