Looking with new eyes (February 2026)

 

You can manage tough times  

By Bridget Pitt, Author and Blocktober walker 

On Sunday, 22 February 2026, I had the pleasure and privilege of joining one of the Blocktober walks. These epic treks have been going since 2020 as part of a campaign to raise awareness of gender based and domestic violence, show solidarity with survivors of GBV and to raise funds to support the Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children.

The hike this Sunday took place at Silvermine, walking from the gate up to the dam.  Sixteen women and children from Saartjie Baartman, led by Siba Rolinyati (who works there), fourteen Blocktober supporters, and three dogs took part. We walked up a meandering and rugged track alongside the river to the dam, through groves of ancient milkwood and yellowwood trees. A cool morning mist soon lifted, and by the time we reached the dam, everyone was ready to strip off their shoes and socks and immerse hot tired feet in the refreshing water. Some of the kids immersed their whole selves.

On the way back I chatted to Megan, who works at the centre, about what these walks mean for the staff and inmates of the centre. She loves her work - the hardest part she says is saying goodbye to the children when their stay is up and they move on to hopefully easier lives.

'It’s really good to get out, the kids feel free here. In Manenberg you have to stay inside a lot because of the shooting. It’s wonderful to feel this freedom.’ 

Youth from the Saartjie Baartman Centre enjoying the River Walk, Silvermine

This was her first hike, and she is determined to do more.

I also spoke to Crystal (not her real name), a resident at Saartjie Baartman. She lost her parents when she was young and went through a difficult childhood in foster care.  Despite this, she is resolved to keep strong. She has been on a number of walks and believes that walking the trails reminds her of her inner strength. ‘Sometimes the going is tough, but you manage and that tells you that you can manage tough times in life, too.’ We looked at the milkwood trees, some blackened from the devastating fires last year, but sprouting new leaves, and reflected on how nature gives us lessons in resilience. Crystal’s ambition is to do motivational speaking and perhaps start an organisation to help women speak out against abuse.

Silvermine dam shines 

Last year, I joined a walk up to the blockhouse above Rhodes Memorial. I encouraged a young girl, who was finding the steep, rocky path hard going. But when we reached the top, she forgot her tiredness and discomfort as she looked out in amazement at the city stretching out before her feet. ‘I have never seen it like this,’ she said.

Perhaps this moment beautifully captures the power of these walks: to give us all a new perspective, those who have suffered trauma and those who are lucky or privileged enough to have been more sheltered. Hiking this ancient mountain has so much to offer all who venture on it, even just the simple pleasure of being out amongst plants and birds and insects, with the sun warming your skin and the breeze cooling you down. This beautiful project offers this opportunity to many people for whom the mountain is inaccessible. And it offers everyone the opportunity to show support and have life-changing encounters with others.

Thanks so much to the organisers, and to those who shared their inspiring stories with me.

For the Road Ahead

Join our:

• Monthly Sunday Solidarity Hikes with the Saartjie Baartman team: next walks are on 15 and 29 March with details provided on the Blocktober WhatsApp Group.

• Why not read the blogs you have missed?