Pondo Trail Run helps to create many more reasons to smile

SPORT NEWS - Wild Child Africa, specialists of fully catered, multi day adventures and creators of the Pondo Trail™, host both a one day ULTRA and 3-DAY COASTER trail running event like no other along the northern section of the Wild Coast, known as Pondoland.

Matt Botha, co-owner and founder of both Wild Child Africa and The PONDO Trail Run had the following to say about the work they do in Pondoland:

“Tim, my brother, and I were incredibly fortunate to spend much of our upbringing on Pondoland’s coastline and it’s an absolute privilege not only to have the opportunity to share it with other like-minded people, but to also play a part in the preservation of is future.”

The PONDO is not only the experience of a lifetime, but also a race with purpose.

The 2022 event saw the launch of its “Pondo-People-Planet” initiative. The PONDO competitors were able to raise more than R140 000 towards this project, with the funds being donated towards The Pondoland Conservation Trust and the Cipla Foundation’s “Miles for Smiles” initiative, which raises funds for corrective surgery for cleft conditions. The first group of beneficiaries underwent corrective surgeries in Umtata.

Tim Botha and Stru Blacklaw

Cipla Foundation trustee, Paul Miller, says; “We’re focused on ‘Caring for Life’ and helping to make a difference in communities. The partnership with PONDO will help to ensure that more children with a cleft lip or palate have access to the level of surgical care needed.”

Tim Botha, of Wild Child Africa, was able to attend the recent surgeries in Umtata and had this to say, “It was a truly humbling experience to witness so many people giving of their time and sharing their skills so willingly and with such grace.

There are 22 new and beautiful smiles in Pondoland thanks to this remarkable team effort. It was an emotional experience and a privilege to be there, not only to witness these life changing surgeries, but also to see our dream of providing sustainable, low impact tourism that has a direct benefit to the local communities come into fruition.”

Stuart Blacklaw and Thulani Khuboni of “Team Manteku” topped the fundraiser charts for the PONDO Coaster 2022 event Blacklaw said: “What a privilege to be present and what was both a hugely humbling and inspirational experience. We can’t wait to see more lives changed after next year’s event”. Blacklaw and Khhuboni will be returning for yet another PONDO Coaster next year (taking place from 25 – 28 May 2023) after their efforts earned them a complimentary place on the start line.

With the Coaster event already sold out for next year, and only a few remaining places for the Ultra, the focus will now be on running for PURPOSE and for teams to start their fundraising campaigns early to see who can topple the herculean 2022 efforts of Team Manteku.

Beneficiaries of Miles for Smiles.