To remind South Africans of the privileges many take for granted, a trail runner and adventure enthusiast plans to spend a week running to and from work and sleeping on Table Mountain to raise awareness for those living without transport and comfortable homes this winter.

Christiaan Greyling, a supply chain engineer at HomeChoice in Wynberg, Cape Town, was tackling issues of absenteeism and time management with his teams earlier this year.

“Trying to get behind the root of the problem, I took public transport into the office one morning and discovered some of the challenges our employees face on a daily basis. I realised how we take privileges like our own cars for granted and decided to create an event to raise awareness of these challenges and promote alternative ways of travelling, as cars are not the solution.”

Greyling, who represented South Africa in long distance mountain running in 2014, will sleep on Table Mountain in a hut without electricity from May 8 until Friday 13 and run to work and back – 24km each day. He will be joined on Table Mountain by four members of the Mountain Club of South Africa.

“With today’s fast-paced lives we sometimes forget to pause and appreciate life and follow our purpose or make a change. We need to sacrifice to appreciate. I have a dream, and I believe I can give someone else a starting chance through doing what I love: running up a mountain. With a little sacrifice I will be saving R120 a day and donating this to an educational charity for children,” said Greyling.

His chosen charity is a project partially funded by HomeChoice called Starting Chance, a non-profit organisation working in Mfuleni which is committed to making a difference in the lives of children in the early childhood sector (aged 0 – 6). Starting Chance supports more than 100 teachers to improve access to quality early childhood education for about 2 000 children.

They provide support for seven creches, doing teacher training and development and assist in developing their physical structures so that they can register with the Department of Social Development and qualify for government subsidies. They also offer practical skills transfer workshops to 45 creches in the Mfuleni area.

“Proceeds from the week will go towards the building of four new buildings which are currently shacks in a shocking condition,” said Starting Chance spokesman Ali Corbett.

The less adventurous who would like to get involved can donate at .

Events leading up to Christiaan’s Table Mountain stay:

  • Tuesday 10 May – Starting Chance will host an event and invite those interested in changing the face of South African education one creche at a time. Christiaan will be there to answer questions.
  • Friday 13th May – the last day of Christiaan’s weeks stay on Table Mountain, guests will be invited to join Christiaan and Starting Chance at a Table Mountain camp from 5.30pm – 7.30pm to build further awareness for the children of Mfuleni.

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About the Author

Brent Lindeque is the founder and editor in charge at Good Things Guy.

Recognised as one of the Mail and Guardian’s Top 200 Young South African’s as well as a Primedia LeadSA Hero, Brent is a change maker, thought leader, radio host, foodie, vlogger, writer and all round good guy.

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