Convert township walkways for tourism - Ithemba Walkway Project

Lester Kiewit speaks to Xolile Ndzoyi, founder of the Ithemba Walkway project in Gugulethu, about how their model could help other communities.

Ndzoyi says that they have managed to reclaim and rejuvenate their once-problematic walkway and turned it into a project of hope.

Neighbourhood pedestrian walkways provide shorter routes, giving residents a safer journey away from traffic, explains Ndzoyi. 

Walkways can also leave people open to crime, which is one reason why authorities might want to close them off. Doing so is unnecessary, says Ndzoyi, and this type of 'innovation' can bring positive change to townships.

He says the walkway should be seen as a way to convert the space to 'township tourism'.

'These walkways have had an element of negativity. However, if you involve the community and embrace surrounding stakeholders, there will be strategic opportunities that will be proposed... they play a role in access and social cohesion and it can be a space where it can be active, creative and positive."

- Xolile Ndzoyi, Founder - Ithemba Walkway Project

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the conversation.