HIV/AIDS is one of South Africa’s biggest challenges and tragedies. Thousands of people die in the country every year because of AIDS related illnesses and many more people don’t know that they have the disease.
This is why veteran sports journalist Cynthia Tshaka started the Discovery Sports Heroes Walk against AIDS in 2002, roping in some of the country’s most beloved sports heroes like former Banyana Banyana captain Desiree Ellis.
“When Cynthia asked me to get involved in the Walk, I didn’t think twice,” Ellis says. “This is my way of giving back to the community.”
The Walk sees a number of sports stars walking 1700km to raise money to help fight HIV/AIDS. The heroes do the walk/run in relays, with each runner doing a stretch of between 5-25km each day, depending on their strength and ability.
“My first Walk was in 2002. It took us twenty one days to complete it and I think it took me three weeks to recover,” Ellis quips. However all the pain is worth it she says, when you consider the importance of raising awareness about HIV/AIDS.
“People often think that the only way to give back is to be a coach but there are other ways. I wanted to go out there make people aware that AIDS exists. As sports people we have the ability to influence people to make better choices.”
The heroes also visit hospitals and hospices and to do coaching clinics along the way, working on the premise that sport has the ability to bring people together even when you’re discussing an issue as serious HIV/AIDS.
“Sport is great way to make a difference. People love sport and sports stars, and this campaign brings sport to the people. You don’t need money to make a difference; sometimes smiling at a person is enough,” Ellis says.
Although the past 10 years have been very difficult, Ellis is encouraged by the changes she’ has seen in the communities they visit. “You still get people out there who believe a lot of myths but awareness around HIV/AIDS has improved.” But there are still things that break her heart every time she visits the hospitals and hospices she says. “The saddest part for me is seeing young people bed ridden.”
The 2012 Discovery Sports Heroes Walk will start on 18 November in the Eastern Cape. Over R7 million has been raised since the initiative started and this year’s campaign started off with a fundraising dinner at SASCOC in Houghton on November 1. This year’s Walk will also include Banyana Banyana duo Noku Matlou and Amanda Dlamini and legendary runner Josiah Thugwane to name but a few.
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