Every day throughout October 2026, around 30 Cape Town residents took part in Blocktober—a monthly hike to King’s Blockhouse under Devil’s Peak—to raise funds in support of survivors of gender-based violence (GBV). The initiative, now in its sixth year since beginning in 2020, supports the Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children in Manenberg, which offers shelter, crisis intervention, and ongoing support to survivors.
Blocktober aims to show solidarity with those who suffer trauma daily, with participants including both community members and clients of the Saartjie Baartman Centre. The weekly hikes culminated in a final walk on 1 November 2026, bringing the month-long campaign to a close.
The fundraising efforts between 2023 and 2025 reportedly generated close to R550,000, with organisers setting a target to raise an additional R500,000 over the next three years. These funds help finance crucial positions like the entrepreneurship manager at the Saartjie Baartman Centre, whose role supports survivors in their recovery and economic independence.
Few participants shared their reflections on the event. “We do the walks and the rides and the swims in solidarity with survivors and for ourselves. Many of us are also survivors and we find it like lightweight therapy,” said Lala Steyn during one of the walks, according to GroundUp reporting. Janet Purcell, another participant, described the collective rhythm of the hikes: “When you walk with people, you tend to walk in rhythm with them, and you’re all walking in the same direction.” She added, “Part of the point of the ritual is a way to mark the occasion. We come from really different walks of life here, and just to acknowledge that we’re in this together.” Meanwhile, Siba, a staff member at the centre, noted the significance the hikes held for survivors: “Most of the survivors are stuck in one place. Whenever they come out, they feel free.”
Blocktober has become a symbol of resilience and community in Cape Town, linking outdoor activism with vital social causes. The Saartjie Baartman Centre’s GBV helpline operates out of Athlone, staffed by social workers who monitor calls for those in urgent need of assistance. The centre relies heavily on fundraising campaigns like Blocktober to sustain its services.
Jean du Plessis, associated with the Saartjie Baartman Centre, summed up the campaign’s spirit in a 2025 report: “We are together and we are supporting the Saartjie Baartman Centre.” The walk to King’s Blockhouse also includes a ritual of carrying stones up the mountain and placing them in a pile to symbolise the burdens carried by survivors, an act described by participants as both poignant and empowering.
As awareness about gender-based violence continues to grow in South Africa, community efforts like Blocktober remain essential in providing both financial and moral support to survivors. The next campaign will look to build on the success of previous years to ensure sustained care services and ongoing public engagement.
CapeFlats.co.za will continue to monitor updates on Blocktober and funding developments for the Saartjie Baartman Centre in the coming years.