On 28 February 2026, South Campus Precinct became a gathering point for the SPU community as students, staff and members of the community came together for Sol Plaatje University’s 4th annual Community Big Walk. The event reflected a shared commitment to community partnership, student integration and collective participation. Participants arrived in numbers to walk side by side, united in a morning of connection, wellness and purpose.
A Growing Tradition
Since its launch in 2023, the SPU Community Big Walk has grown into one of the University’s most important community engagement initiatives. The event creates a space where students, staff and the broader Kimberley community can come together through a shared activity that promotes participation, belonging and the university’s role as an anchor institution in the Northern Cape.
This year’s walk brought together over 2 500 participants, reinforcing the event’s growth and the deepening relationship between SPU and the region it serves.
First-Year Integration at the Centre
A key feature of the 2026 walk was the participation of first-year students as part of the First Year Experience programme. Their involvement supports early integration into university life and contributes to building a sense of belonging from the very start of the student journey.
The walk also supported the university’s commitment to wellness by welcoming participants of different ages and backgrounds to take part at their own pace, reinforcing the inclusive and accessible nature of the event.
A Practical Gesture for First-Year Students
Participating first-year students received reusable BPA-free aluminium water bottles at the end of the walk. The bottles provided a practical item for students to carry water on campus, particularly in the Kimberley heat, while marking their participation in the SPU Community Big Walk.
Supporting Student Access Through the Lesedi La Afrika Fund
The SPU Community Big Walk also continued to promote awareness of the Lesedi La Afrika Fund, an initiative aimed at supporting students who require financial assistance. Contributions made through the campaign assist in ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent deserving students from accessing higher education.
A Community Moving Forward Together
Participation along the walking route demonstrated the impact of collective action. Each step reflected a community moving forward together in support of student success.
SPU acknowledges the contribution of its partners and sponsors including Magic Lab Sneakers, Manzi, Rea Jampane Studios, Van Schaik, Telkom Galeshewe, Telkom New Park, ER24, Sanlam, MZT Jumping Castles and Suzuki, whose support contributed to the successful delivery of the SPU Community Big Walk 2026.
The University thanks all participants, volunteers, organisers and community members who contributed to the event and continue to strengthen a culture of participation, connection and opportunity for current and future SPU students.
