2009 marks the 10^th anniversary of the Jive Big Walk – an annual charity community event that has become something of an institution in Cape Town.

This year’s Jive Big Walk (not to be confused with the Discovery Cape Times Big Walk in November) will be held on 22 February 2009.

The 5km or 10km Sunday morning walk starts in Green Point and runs along the Sea Point Promenade before returning to the start, where family entertainment and prizes are offered to walkers.

The City of Cape Town has provided R50 000 in funding to the organisers, and is also closely involved in the planning and logistics of the event. This includes providing traffic services; catering; solid waste services; 50 portable toilets; and the venue, according to Anthony Julies of the Sport, Recreation and Amenities Department.

The event has grown from 7 500 participants to over 20 000 walkers, while hundreds of volunteers from schools and disadvantaged backgrounds also assist.

Not only is the Jive Big Walk a fun family and community event, it is also an important charity fundraiser, with the beneficiaries being the Red Cross Children’s Hospital and Islamic Library. Over the past nine years, nearly R900 000 has been paid to the hospital in support of various vital projects. Other projects, including a home for the elderly and an HIV relief project, have also benefited from funds raised through the Jive Big Walk.

Sponsors include large corporations as well as smaller community based businesses, which add value to the event and also benefit from their association with the Jive Big Walk – thereby contributing to economic development.

Support and endorsement from leaders such as the Mayor of Cape Town and the Premier of the Western Cape have also helped the event.

Throughout its history, the Jive Big Walk has remained a non-sectarian event welcoming all residents, enabling it to promote the ideals of an open and diverse society in Cape Town, according to the organisers.

The entry fee of R15 has remained unchanged for the last eight years, meaning that it is affordable for most citizens.

Date: 22 February 2009

Time: 08:00

Place: Lighthouse on Beach Road, Mouille Point

Cost: R15

Entry forms available at Sportsman’s Warehouse or at http://www.entrytime.com/index.asp?GoTo=EventInfo&EventID=2203