The Federation of Indigenous Games of South Africa (FIGSA) embarked on a long walk from Musina to Cape Town in a bid to raise funds to professionalize indigenous games. They plan to arrive in Cape Town after 60 days.
The four-member team left Musina on Monday 21 September 2026, with their first stop at the Baobab Tollgate Plaza. The walk, will see the team traverse Limpopo, Gauteng, Free State, Northern Cape and Western Cape before reaching Cape Town.
The team consists of FIGSA Chairperson Sipho Maluleke, driver Khuliso Given Muleba, and walkers Tumelo Mononela and Charity Bongela.
Speaking at the send-off in Musina, walker Charity Bongela said he is ready for the journey and called on young people to embrace sport. “I am ready for the walk and I encourage youth to participate in sports to keep their bodies fit and healthy. This walk is our weapon to make sure indigenous games are commercialized.” Said Bongela.
The team aims to raise R5,2m to transform indigenous games into a professional sport. FIGSA says indigenous games are currently under-recognised despite their cultural significance.
Chairperson Maluleke said the decision to start the walk in Musina was deliberate because Musina is a border town between South Africa and Zimbabwe. He said the funds raised will be used to professionalize indigenous games, ensuring players can earn a living from these games. The team has appealed to South Africans to support the initiative.
Musina Local Municipality Communications Manager, Wilson Dzebu wished the team well, describing the walk as a legacy project that puts Musina on the national map.
