On 27 April 1987 Sri Chinmoy inaugurated the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run in New York. Interestingly, exactly seven years later on 27th April 1994 Nelson Mandela took over as the first democratically elected president in South Africa's history.

To celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Peace Run and the World Harmony Run in South Africa, the South African members of the World Harmony Run team decided to honour this occasion by carrying the Peace torch, the symbol of the Run, to the top of the highest mountain in South Africa. As the 25th Anniversay coincides with Freedom Day, which is a public holiday, the team members were able to complete the challenge over a long weekend.    

The highest mountain peak in South Africa, Mafadi, lies within the  Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. With an elevation of 3,450 m, (11,300 ft), the summit of Mafadi is the second highest point in Africa south of Mt Kilimanjaro. Mafadi lies on the border between South Africa and Lesotho (Mafadi is the little bump in the far background of this photo taken from about 50 km away)

This park is also a Sri Chinmoy Peace Blossom

and a World Heritage Site.

Abhijatri and Balarka Robinson of the South African World Harmony Run Team hiked with the torch for two days ascending more than 2000m in vertical height to reach the summit of Mafadi. The scenery along the way was just spectactular! We would like to have run with the torch but the trail was just too rough and in many places disappeared altogether.

When we reached the top it was a beautiful sunny day but the wind was blowing at over 50 knots so we had trouble even standing still. Balarka did a symbolic run along the top of the summit and said that it gave him a tremendous feeling of joy.

Here we both hold the torch together on the top of Mafadi - unfortunately the wind wasn't cooperating enough for us to keep the flame lit!

We camped in a cave at about 3300 m and were greeted by a beautiful sunrise the next morning.

After returning to Injisuthi Camp at the base of the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Range, we introduced ourselves to members of the camp staff at the office and invited them to hold the torch. They were so thrilled to be part of the event that they summoned all staff members within the camp for a group photo. It is always such a privilege to share the message of peace especially in South Africa where people value peace so much, perhaps because of our country's turbulent past.

Camp Manager Dumisani Miya (left) and some of the Injisuthi Team hold the torch together. Dumisani told us that peace in Zulu is uxolo pronounced with a click.

Front Desk Manager -Thando Shabalala

Boneni Langa's smile is as bright as the flame on the torch!

We could only offer gratitude for once again witnessing the pure magic of the Peace Run and the World Harmony Run! Thank you!!!

Video Message from Davidson Hepburn, President (2009 - 2011) of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for 25th Anniversary of the World Harmony Run and a vision for the decade: "Toward a Oneness-World".

Full Text of the 25th annversary message and link to 25 language informal Translations: http://www.worldharmonyrun.org/25

• Youtube video on African experience which illustrates IYY slogan "Our Year Our Voice" International Year of Youth - Zambia World Harmony. They surprisingly mention Presidents and UN Secretary-General in a unique way!

• Listen to the World-Harmony-Run song: 2 min version // 6 min

– Abhijatri Robinson

Distance: 52 km

Team Members:
RSA (Balarka Robinson), RSA (Abhijatri Robinson)

Gallery: See more images!