Monash team Walks the Talk

26 July 2010

Liezl Craig (left) with Karin Breytenbach at the Walk the Talk event.  Both are studying towards their M.Phil in Intergrated Water Management at Monash South Africa

Monash South Africa staff member Thandi Nxumalo with her children Shaun (left) and Samkeke

For the fourth year in a row, a team of 300 Monash South Africa staff, students and alumni and their families formed the biggest single team to take part in Johannesburg’s best loved walking event - the Discovery 702 Walk the Talk - on Sunday 25 July 2010.

The Discovery 702 Walk the Talk, now in its tenth year, was established in 2000 with 12 000 entries. This year was the biggest ever with about 55 000 participants, who walked one of four distances – 5km, 8km, 15km and 30km. The most popular were the 5km and 8km walks

At the hospitality village, at Marks Park in Emmarentia, where the walk started and finished, the on-stage entertainment was a big hit with the public.

All Monash participants wore distinctive blue Monash T-shirts. Most walked the 5km distance and then gathered afterwards to relax and enjoy refreshments at the Monash picnic site.

According to Johan Smith, team coordinator and Sports Officer at Monash South Africa, “This very sociable event brings together families and colleagues, schools, corporates, companies, charities and communities.”

Monash South Africa Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Tyrone Pretorius said: "We are delighted at the excellent response we have had from Monash South Africa staff, students and alumni to take part in Walk the Talk."

"While supporting a good cause, these events promote participation in healthy fun activities leading to fitness, and create a sense of unity and community spirit among staff and students on campus."

A percentage of the entry fees for the Walk the Talk are donated to the Laureuns Sport for Good Foundation which supports a range of projects for social upliftment.