From Joburg to Jabulani: a 600km fundraising run by any means

Two Fourways residents will mark World Elephant Day with a 600km fundraising journey to support South Africa’s first dedicated elephant orphanage. According to The Citizen (Fourways Review), Kyle Malyon and Lauren Lewis will set off on the trip on 12 August, beginning at Doppio Zero, Bel Air Mall in Northriding at 07:30.

Travelling to raise awareness

The pair plan to travel to Jabulani in Kapama Game Reserve the home of the Herd Trust using a mix of transport modes in a single day. According to The Citizen (Fourways Review), their route will include skateboard, Gautrain bus and train, classic cars, motorcycles and other unique vehicles before arriving at Herd, where they will present a cheque to support the care of orphaned elephants.

Campaign background

According to The Citizen (Fourways Review), the initiative follows Malyon’s 2024 solo circumnavigation of South Africa, known as The Mammoth Ride, which also raised awareness and funds for Herd. Inspired to expand that work, Malyon teamed up with Lewis to create the ‘Joburg to Jabulani by Any Means’ campaign.

“We wanted to create awareness in a way that people would remember,” said Malyon.

Who benefits

According to The Citizen (Fourways Review), the campaign supports the Herd Trust, South Africa’s first dedicated elephant orphanage, which was established in 2019 to rescue and rehabilitate orphaned elephant calves before integrating them into the Jabulani herd.

Fundraising progress

According to The Citizen (Fourways Review), fundraising events have so far raised close to R20 000. Organisers are hoping to add a further R25 000 through their BackaBuddy campaign.

Malyon expressed gratitude to donors and supporters. According to The Citizen (Fourways Review), he thanked everyone who has already donated, including Springbok rugby player Faf de Klerk.

How the community can help

According to The Citizen (Fourways Review), community members can support the campaign by donating to the fundraiser, donating directly to the Herd Trust, or adopting an elephant through the organisation. The journey will be shared on Instagram at @joburgtojabulanibyanymeans.

According to The Citizen (Fourways Review), organisers are also asking anyone with unique vehicles who are willing to assist with the final leg of the journey to contact Kyle Malyon at 082 447 5661.

Why it matters

Malyon highlighted the threats facing elephants and the role of rescue and rehabilitation. In the article he said,

“Elephants face threats from poaching, habitat loss, and human/elephant conflict. Young orphaned elephants often struggle to survive without their families, and Herd gives them a second chance by providing them with a new herd.”

The journey aims to create conversation and spotlight elephant conservation while showcasing a range of transport methods to draw attention to the cause.