Walking for Social Justice

In acknowledgment of Youth Day, 16 June 2021, Visit Stellenbosch and Dwarsrivier Tourism hosted a social justice walk – a 16 km route of ‘hope and healing’ – from the historical centre of Stellenbosch to Pniel in the beautiful Dwarsrivier Valley. The Social Justice Walk, the first of its kind, connects all communities in the greater Stellenbosch, bringing hope and unlocking tourism potential. This walk is one of the early legs of South Africa’s 500 km ‘Pilgrimage of Hope’.

Professor Thuli Madonsela, Social Justice Chair at Stellenbosch University and Alan Winde, Premier of the Western Cape, as well as Ald (Dr) Elna von Schlicht, Executive Mayor of the CWDM, joined the region’s key tourism stakeholders on the walk.

The initiative is funded by the Cape Winelands District Municipality through its Local Economic Development unit. Mayor Von Schlicht stated, “The CWDM is excited to be part of this event – in our capacity as regional tourism office and from the perspective of our mandate to find opportunities that stimulate local economic development. During this walk our wonderful mountains, unique surroundings and rich culture are truly showcased in the best of ways. The route unlocks the diversity of heritage that is to be found not only in this valley, but throughout the Cape Winelands District. The economic development potential of this project and the possibility that the results can improve the quality of life of our citizens, makes it exactly the kind of initiative that the CWDM loves to support.”