Blocktober is a humble but determined Cape Town-based movement of people against gender-based violence (GBV). We come together every October to walk, run or ride to the King’s Blockhouse on the slopes of Table Mountain as an act of slowburn solidarity. We also encourage other individuals or groups to join, wherever they may be in the world, by doing local, equivalent ascents (approximately 500m over 20km.) In 2022 we were also joined by swimmers (#blocktober31), where participants swim for 31 minutes each day of the month in the ocean or tidal pools. 

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Where does Blocktober come from?

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Blocktober was initiated in 2020, inspired by the journey of Jean du Plessis who rode the long steep climb to the Blockhouse on his bike for 200 consecutive days in solidarity with a victim of GBV.  Jean was joined on his journey by a growing group of friends and acquaintances who he met on the way and who joined in.

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What is Blocktober trying achieve?

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Solidarity: The walk, ride or run is an act of slow-burn solidarity with victims and survivors of GBV.  It is a statement that we care.  The process of going up a steep hill is a reminder of what survivors go through every day and that recovery is so often a slow and painful journey.  Undertaking a physically demanding journey has also been a way throughout history that people have used to express compassion, concern and solidarity.  We are building on this long tradition.

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Education: Blocktober is way of promoting awareness of GBV and of igniting conversations.   It starts with each of us educating ourselves about this issue.  We also ask participants to use Blocktober activities to engage your family, friends and colleagues about GBV and what they can do to help end it.  

 

Donation:  Blocktober is also an initiative to raise funds.  We encourage participants to make a donation every time they complete a Blocktober walk, run or ride.   No donation is too small – simply give what you can afford.

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