A Krugersdorp amputee who has already walked more than 2,000km across South Africa on a single leg is winning hearts across the country as he champions disability inclusion, unity and Ubuntu.
King Nipho, 37, reached a major milestone in his ambitious 5,000km #OneLegWalk campaign when he arrived in Gqeberha on Friday. The journey, which began in Pretoria on May 27, has already taken him through Cape Town and is now heading towards its final destination in Durban.
Nipho says the walk is aimed at encouraging greater support for people living with disabilities while also promoting social cohesion in communities.
“My main mandate is to do something to include people living with disabilities, but there has also been disorder in our communities,” he said.
“When you see this, you must do something. You can’t just sit and look on.
“I said to myself, ‘Let me do something positive to unite the community’, instead of promoting hate.”
Despite the physical demands of the trek, Nipho showed little sign of slowing down as he made his way through the streets of Mount Pleasant, chanting “We’re making history” and “One-leg walk” while blowing a vuvuzela.
The campaign is entirely self-funded and has required significant sacrifice. Nipho revealed that he has spent many nights sleeping at petrol stations during the journey, although support from members of the public has increased as awareness of his mission has spread on social media.
“I’ve been able to partner with B&Bs. They say, ‘Come, let us house you. You are doing a good thing’,” he said.
Amputee King Nipho was a ball of energy when he met members of the Association for the Physically Disabled in Nelson Mandela Bay on Friday. Photo: Full Stop Communications
His arrival in Nelson Mandela Bay prompted a warm welcome from the Association for the Physically Disabled (APD), whose members turned out to support the inspirational walker.
APD chairperson Garth van Niekerk said the organisation only became aware of Nipho’s journey shortly before his arrival.
“Somebody contacted APD and asked if we knew about King walking on this route. We didn’t,” Van Niekerk said.
However, APD quickly mobilised to assist him, with Van Niekerk hosting Nipho at his home.
“It’s an absolutely special thing to happen, both for him and for APD,” he said.
The organisation also approached long-time corporate partner SPAR Eastern Cape to assist the traveller as he continues his journey.
SPAR Eastern Cape sponsorship controller Honey Koba said Nipho’s visit coincided with preparations for the annual Wheelchair Wednesday campaign and the Women’s Challenge, both scheduled for September.
“The stars have definitely aligned, especially if you consider that for the first time APD will be producing the T-shirts, scrunchies and goodie bags for this year’s Challenge,” Koba said.
To support the remainder of his journey, SPAR provided Nipho with supplies from its Mount Pleasant store and a virtual shopping voucher that can be used at SPAR outlets along his route.
As Nipho continues his trek towards Durban, his determination is serving as a powerful reminder of resilience, inclusion and the ability of ordinary South Africans to unite behind a common cause.
Couples who have not registered their customary marriages have just six days left to do so before a special registration period closes on August 31, 2026.The Department of Home Affairs is urging qualifying couples to register their customary marriages before the deadline to ensure their marital status is formally recognised and avoid last-minute queues at Home Affairs offices.The special registration period, which opened on September 1, 2024, allows couples whose […]
