The Green Run Expedition is a world record journey across South Africa to encourage South Africans and government to invest in growing South Africa’s new and inclusive economy, the Green Economy, for a better, cleaner, greener, healthier and sustainable South Africa. The expedition will consist of Thomas Hart walking barefoot with Simphiwe Ncgobo as his support, from Soweto, Johannesburg to Muzienburg, Cape Town via KwaZulu-Natal and the Drakensberg, where he will set a new world record for the longest barefoot journey on foot. An additional challenge, The Nourish the Nation Challenge, will also be associated with the expedition in which South Africans will be challenged on their food choices and the current agri-food system. As part of the expedition, Thomas, Simphiwe and their team will work with number of joint partners in engaging communities, businesses, corporations and government on issues of waste, land, water, energy, farming and our agri-food systems and then need to grow a green economy for a more profitable and inclusive society and nation that conserves its natural resources and biodiversity. From these engagements, data will be collected for research purposes that will provide holistic reports on the state of our green economy versus policy and where best to invest in growing our new economy.

The Route:

Stage 1: The Highveld

Tembisa - Midrand - Wynberg - Sandton - Rosebank - Parktown - Diepkloof - Soweto - Lanseria - Randvaal - 3 Rivers
Sasolburg - Deneysville - Orangeville - Frankfort - Reitz - Bethlehem - Clarens

Stage 2: The Drakensberg 2 Coast

Golden Gates nature Reserve - Sterkfontein - Royal Natal Nature Reserve - Giants Castle Nature Reserve - Maloti Drakensberg Park - Sani Pass
Underberg - Boston -Natal Midlands - Howick - Pietermaritzburg - Kloof - Durban
John Ross Building - Amanzimtoti - Highflats - Port Shepstone - Dududu - Port Edward - Mtentu - Port St Johns

Stage 3: The Wild Coast 2 Wilderness

Port St Johns - Coffee Bay - Dwesa-Cwebe Nature Reserve - Kob Inn - Kei Mouth - Mdantsane
East London - Port Alfred - Kenton on Sea - Grahamstown - Amakhala Game Reserve - Addo Game Reserve - Kirkwood - Andrieskraal - Humansdorp - Jeffreys Bay - Plettenberg Bay - Knysna - George

Stage 4: The Cape Farmlands

Jonkersberg - Herbetsdale - Riverdale - Swellendam - Greyton - Villiersdorp - Worster - Paarl - Stellenbosch - Muizenberg - Greenpoint

The Research:

The aim of the research is to produce data and findings on public’s knowledge of South Africa’s Green Economy legislation and whether the government and private sector have done enough to provide access

The research will consist of both qualitative and quantitative data collected from South Africans that Thomas and Simphiwe meet along their route and from online surveys filled out by the South African public during the 3 month period of the expedition. The data collected will be analysis through a multi-discipline approach using both the Circuit of Culture and ecological economic theoretical frameworks to better understand the complexities between government legislation, public knowledge and the implementation of a just transition to a Green Economy that benefit all South Africans.

Impact Investing:

Transitioning to a greener, cleaner and more sustainable South Africa will depend on investing in innovative solutions, businesses and systems that create jobs and profit while protecting biodiversity and using alternative means of energy. Impact investing offers a solution that provides investors both profitable return and impact socially and environmentally. It is poised for further growth as all types of investors are increasingly looking to achieve both social impacts and financial returns. Thus, through the Green Run Expedition, we will encourage South African citizens and businesses to impact investment in innovative socio-economic and environmental organizations, enterprises and businesses that are fast tracking our transition to greener, cleaners and more sustainable South Africa.

Docuseries:

A series of short films will be filmed, produced, edited and packaged from a series of stories from the expedition focused on the culture of running in South Africa and our abilities to create change for a greener and sustainable future. The following short films will be:

• The Grand - A short film on running the Drakensberg Grand Traverse barefoot, the history of the traverse and cult culture of skyrunning in the Drakensberg

• Uprising - A short film of running the single tracks of Amapondoland created by local communities and the region’s uprising against government, mining and oil companies in order to protect their green and blue economies.

• Choked Waters - A short film on the impacts of plastic pollution on the estuaries and reefs of South Africa’s coastline on marine wildlife and our health as humans

• Shell Shock - A short film on the activists and their actions to stop Shell and government from blasting the Wild Coast in the hunt for oil.

• The Green Challenge - A reality series of short episodes following selected South Africans who chose to take the Green Challenge and transition their homes and businesses to green, cleaner and more sustainable side of life.

Sponsorship:

The Green Run is looking for sponsorship to the food and accommodation for 2 aspiring Black South African adventurers to take on their first expedition and provide impactful research. For 3 months accommodation and food for 3 months is going to cost R10 000 to R15 000. Thus we are looking for sponsors to sponsor one of the Black South African adventures at R15 000 or both of them at R20 000 to R30 000.