The Free State government has become adept at stopping the traffic! Prior to the official opening of the stadium, three starting points were available for the ‘big walk’. The main aim of this big walk was to promote social cohesion, nation building and encouraging healthy lifestyles — and the people who joined it really were of all races and from all walks of life.
Organised down to the last detail, the big walk had buses for the tired, medical help, and police services and volunteers at the watering points. The organisation also included litter pickers at the watering points, helping to maintain Bloemfontein as one of the cleanest cities in the country.
The first starting point was from Mapikela House, led by motorcyclists, the premier, MEC Mathabo Leeto and MEC Benny Malakoane.
The second starting point was the Twin City Mall, led by cyclists and MEC Dora Kotzee, MEC Oupa Khoabane, MEC Tate Makgwe and MEC Olly Mlamleli with the third starting from the Mangaung Outdoor Sport Centre, led by ‘Drummies’ and the Honourable Mamiki Qabathi, MEC Sam Mashinini, MEC Elzabe Rockman and MEC Butana Komphela.
These processions were in varying degrees of difficulty, the shortest being approximately four kilometers, the one, led by the Premier, almost six kilometers and the longest some 30 kilometres.