Bongani Ndlovu, [email protected]
AT the crack of dawn, scores of people had gathered at Coghlan Primary School in Bulawayo on Saturday, turning the school grounds into a sea of purple as they prepared for the 11th edition of the Zimpapers Cancer Power Walk.
Purple T-shirts and caps dominated the gathering, as hundreds of people from different walks of life answered the call to raise awareness about cancer and show solidarity with those affected by the disease.
Young and old, including schoolchildren, were part of the gathering, warming up ahead of the 5km walk, run and cycle.
The route took participants along Samuel Parirenyatwa Street before turning into Leopold Takawira Street, passing the Central and Centenary parks and through Suburbs. They then proceeded along George Avenue before turning into 12th Avenue and making their way back to Coghlan Primary School.
As the long line of participants made its way up Leopold Takawira Street, the purple shirts and caps blended with the jacaranda trees in full bloom, creating a beautiful picture against the backdrop of Bulawayo’s streets.
Some participants paced themselves, starting off at a leisurely pace before gradually increasing their speed with each kilometre covered.
Walking becomes less of a task when you have company. Conversations, laughter and encouragement from fellow participants made the distance seem shorter. Before long, the 5km had been covered, although the scorching sun, already making its presence felt at around 7am, was a reminder that it was not going to be an easy morning.
At the finish line, participants received medals before making their way back into the school grounds, where the day’s activities continued with a Zumba session.
This proved to be one of the highlights of the morning, as participants enthusiastically followed Coach Tyno through the dance routines. The music and energetic moves brought a different dimension to the event, with people letting loose after completing the walk.
But beyond the exercise, dancing and camaraderie was a more important message.
Held under the theme, “Every Story Is Unique. Every Journey Matters” (#UnitedByUnique), the walk brought together people whose experiences with cancer differed, but who shared a common desire to raise awareness and support those affected by the disease.
Guest speaker Dr Tatenda Chingozoh, a clinical oncologist, spoke about breast cancer and demonstrated how participants could conduct breast self-examinations. She reminded them that breast cancer does not affect women alone, as men can also develop the disease.
Another guest speaker, Dr Munyaradzi Magara, emphasised the importance of early detection, urging people to seek medical attention and undergo regular health checks so that cancer can be identified and treated early.
The message was reinforced by the availability of health services at the event. Calm Health and Rugare/Hlalani Kuhle Health provided services that included blood pressure and blood sugar checks, as well as dental services.
People had different reasons for taking part in the walk. Some were remembering family members who had succumbed to cancer, while others were walking in support of relatives, friends and workmates living with the disease.
For some, it was simply about being part of a campaign that encourages people to speak openly about cancer and take their health seriously.
Although breast cancer featured prominently in the day’s presentations, the walk was about all forms of cancer. Many people have encountered the disease in one way or another, either personally
or through a family member, colleague or friend.
The purple worn by participants was therefore more than just a colour. It was a show of solidarity with cancer patients and survivors, a tribute to those who have lost their lives and a message of hope for families affected by the disease.
But perhaps the most powerful reminder of why people had gathered that morning came from an 11-year-old girl, Taanashe Magondo, who courageously stood before the crowd to share her cancer journey, with her mother, Tsitsi Magondo, by her side.
Taanashe recounted how her ordeal began in 2024, when she developed huge lumps in her neck. She also experienced stomach pains and an itchy throat, which made her feel as though she had tonsillitis.
Following medical examinations, she was diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma, an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
The diagnosis marked the beginning of a difficult journey that saw her undergo five cycles of chemotherapy. Her two-year journey, encompassing diagnosis, treatment and recovery, eventually saw her become a cancer survivor.
She continues to attend periodic medical check-ups as part of her follow-up care.
Standing before hundreds of people, Taanashe spoke about the experience, giving participants a glimpse into the challenges she faced and the treatment she underwent.
Her story was a reminder that cancer does not only affect adults. Children, too, can find themselves fighting the disease, making awareness, early diagnosis and access to treatment important.
But Taanashe is already looking beyond her own experience.
Inspired by her journey, she dreams of becoming a paediatric oncologist when she grows up so that she can help other children battling cancer.
She has also started writing a book about her experience, with the proceeds set to go towards KidzCan, an organisation that supports children with cancer.
Through the book, she hopes to turn her personal story into something that can help other children and families going through similar experiences.
For an 11-year-old to stand before hundreds of people and speak openly about her cancer journey, while already thinking about how she can help others, was one of the most moving moments of the morning.
Her testimony brought the day’s theme, “Every Story Is Unique. Every Journey Matters”, into sharp focus.
For those who had walked in memory of loved ones, in support of patients or simply to raise awareness, Taanashe’s experience was a powerful reminder of why the fight against cancer matters.
Her journey also reinforced the importance of recognising unusual symptoms, seeking medical attention and following through with treatment and medical check-ups.
As the participants dispersed after a morning of walking, dancing and sharing experiences, the message was clear: cancer awareness should not be confined to one day or one event.
The sea of purple that had filled the streets of Bulawayo was a visible expression of solidarity, but it was the individual stories behind those purple shirts that gave the walk its meaning.
Every story is unique. Every journey matters. And Taanashe’s story showed that surviving cancer can also inspire a determination to help others facing the same fight.
