The streets of Auckland Park were awash in a vibrant wave of orange this past Saturday, 24 May 2025, as over 700 residents of Johannesburg descended upon the University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) AW Muller Stadium for the annual UJ Future Walk. The event, connecting the Auckland Park Bunting Road and Kingsway campuses, created a picturesque trail for participants to walk and run in support of UJ students facing financial challenges with their tuition fees.
Supported by Lucky Star, Spar, and Mentos, the sixth edition of the Future Walk successfully drew a diverse crowd, from seasoned professional runners to families enjoying a healthy morning outdoors. The event catered to all fitness levels, offering a gentle 2.5km distance, a popular 5km route, and an official 10km race sanctioned by Central Gauteng Athletics. Participants traversed the leafy Auckland Park suburb under a perfect sunny sky, making for an enjoyable experience for everyone, from UJ’s senior executives to local juniors enjoying the jumping castles.
The UJ Future Walk is one of the cornerstones of the University’s fundraising initiatives, dedicated to assisting approximately 5,000 students categorized as “The Missing Middle.” This campaign, which gained prominence in 2016 following the nationwide “Fees Must Fall” movement, aims to cover the balance of tuition fees, books, and other living expenses for academically deserving students who do not qualify for full government funding.
The positive energy was palpable, with many expressing anticipation for the main UJ Future Walk event scheduled for 20 September 2025. “I’m so happy to be here. I competed in the 10km race and had a good time. The vibe is so great and I want to come to the September race,” shared Mpoti Ngobeni, who participated with friends from Soweto.
Lehumo Dibakwane, a member of the UJ Student Representative Council, extended gratitude to all participants, urging them to return for the next edition. “We are doing this for a good cause; to support our financially needy but academically deserving students,” he emphasized.
Banyana Banyana Head Coach, Desiree Ellis, also joined the walk, remarking, “I really enjoyed the walk. This is a good initiative because you meet other people from all walks of life, and it’s good to connect and chat; life is about meeting new people. We are also going to be playing two games against Botswana and Zambia to prepare for the WAFCON, so it was a good thing to come here and be with the people before we go on camp tomorrow.”
The winners of the May 2025 UJ Future Walk were:
2.5km 1st place: Oela Blaaw
5km 1st place: Zane Fynn
5km 2nd place: Karabo Maila
5km 3rd place: Zinozonke Cebekulu
10km 1st place: Mzwakhe Mashaba
10km 2nd place: Katlego Madiope
10km 3rd place: David Mphahlele
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