This is the note of Nitin who led a group 6 people from India and Japan who did a Peace walk in the Republic of South Africa recently.

Gandhi@150 to Mandela@100 peace walk South Africa end in Mvezo Birth place Nelson Mandela on 30th Nov which started 60 days back on Mahatma Gandhi’s 149th birth anniversary from Johannesburg South Africa. On 21st Sept.  I Arrived in South Africa with strong commitment and believe in Humanity for 2-month epic walk with 6 people with minimum resource and money. Walking is great medium to connect with local people, Nature (All living and non-living things) and most important is for oneness. We followed the footsteps of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela along way to show the world that peace is possible, and this two people are our hope. 

      In June 2017 I walked one month with Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist monk, and one month Alone from Tokyo to Hiroshima in Japan. After one month waking alone, I Meet Rev. Kanshin Ikeda a Buddhist monk, on end of first day peace walk he saw suffering because of shoes, He gifted new pair of Shoes which I used until Colombia. I called him for peace walk in South Africa and he accept my request, he was great blessing for all peace walker. His commitment for peace through walking and praying was so inspiring, for all meal and water he serves us with love and care.

    I would love to extend my love to Yogesh Mathuria who dedicated his life for peace through waking pilgrimage in India, Sri lank and now in South Africa for last 11 years. He is always support me in my journey around world, in this 60-day peace walk he keep writing stories and journey on social media and last phase he rides car with all our luggage from Port Edward to Mvezo with us so that we can go well.  Thank you Dilip Tambolkar for joining peace walk in South Africa, grateful to have you for few days in beginning of walk.     

      Thank you so much Jalandharnath Channole an Gandhian Monk for joining walk and spreading message of love through his Singing Bhajan and songs of equality in temple and schools. 

      Thanks, dear friend Sangram Patil for joining walk and great help for holding our peace banner and cracking jokes to keep us happy. Lovely young women Sakshi Joined In last phase was also blessing to us, her way to thinking impress me lot. 

      After 2 years I meet my childhood friend, Doctor, social worker and core member of World Peace & Friendship Movement who work hard for this journey from India Dr. Rushikesh Andhalker. Was great fleeing for me to receive him here in South Africa. Rushi your kindness, Hardworking nature and leading capacity make me proud. 

        We follow foot step of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela, places where Mohandas Gandhi took lager  identity  of himself, when he throw out of train in Pietermaritzburg, Place where he spend  whole night to thing what action should in took against injustice and inequality,  his commitment and believe in Nonviolence gave hope to the world, I slept in that waiting room which keep inspiriting me lot. 

      Capture site is place where Madiba was captured and then afterwards imprison for 27 years, when he come out of Prison, he become instrument of peace and transform million heart around world. 

      When we arrived here in Johannesburg all people, I meet said it’s not safe to walk outside but this last 60 days no one touch and no intention to steal anything from us.  Was very safe and lovely journey, we bow and wave hand with love to every person on street and we got much more love from people. 

    In my last 2 years travel I knock 5 houses to get permission for night stay in my tent in their property, I get it after 2 to 3 knocks but here in South Africa just one knock of house and we welcomed by local person.  Very thankful to South African for nourishing all peace walker with your kindness and love.  

      Indian People brought in South Africa started in 1860 from Britain for Sugarcane plantation, we blessed to connect with 4th and 5th generation of Indian South Africans. All Indian origin people was so excited to see us waking they help so much. Some of them brought food by traveling 50 -60km, I am moved by their serving, Sharing and kindness. Indian origin people here are pure in Spirituality, I think When India lost it pure spirituality some Indian people will definitely travel to South Africa for regain it.  Every day I received many phones from people for asking our safe travel. I enjoyed Indian food a lot in South Africa. 

      Afrikaners people welcomed us with love and joy in their homes. Meet so many lovely hearts on the way, great hospitality by Afrikaners. Got deep bond of friendship with all of them, Thankful all of you dear friend.    

      Our journey after port Edward was touched by love of Xhosa people which in Eastern cape where along way people was so excited to see us. They stop us and asked what you are doing and where you’re going, why you are walking, are your crazy people or what. When we said we walked 1000km they give 2 reaction first on is that said, ‘you are lying’ second was so amazing with exciting face it was ‘Yooooooooooo!!’ 😮

I enjoy that one a lot. We stay some of houses, churches and last one is in Madiba’s birth place. 

      People who come from India to work here was so proud on us. They extend they love and support all possible way. overseas Indian community help me all counters I visited I am very thanking to all of them 😇🙏🏽. 

          We will never forget this 60 day and each day of it with great stories with people and Nature, on my last waking day I was so emotional by remembering all the people who support us, take care and love us. What we give to South Africa is much more that what we get back from here. Me believe in humanity now stronger. It was life changing experience for me, it makes me stronger to keep exploring, Sharing, walking and give hope of peace to the world and follow my truth with nonviolence.

  I am thankful to each and every Person who support us one the way.  

Journey continues in Zimbabwe 🚶🏿‍♂🚶🏿‍♂

Deep gratitude😇🙏🏽

With love,

Nitin 🙏🏽