Launched in 2020, Colour Africa’s Outdoors (CAO) aims to showcase different outdoor activities with the aim of encouraging people to be healthy and active and to enjoy the splendor of South Africa’s great outdoors.
The initiative was established by Sports medicine physician, Phathokuhle Zondi, who partnered with Phumla Shongwe and Khetha Cele in an effort to showcase 100 different outdoor activities in 100 days, around Kwa-Zulu Natal.
Zondi has always had a love for the outdoors.“I have always been very active and adventurous, and I yearn for more people to experience the awe, peace and thrill of being outdoors. It’s grounding, healing and inspiring – and everyone should experience it regularly,” she said.
The Sports Science Institute of South Africa Former Chief Executive Officer said the vision is to diversity and grow the country’s community enjoying outdoor recreational activity. “We want to dispel stereotypes about race, gender and age-appropriate activity and show that the outdoors is accessible to all of us,”said the trio.
The response from the public has inspired the team to expand their horizons. They now have plans of exploring other provinces and hosting unique CAO experiences once the current COVID circumstances allow them to safely do so.
CAO out door experiences include hiking, surfing, acrobranching and stand-up paddling. Most of the activities are family-friendly fun and are free. Some of them cost as little as R80.
Zondi said the idea is to encourage a movement that allows people to reach new heights. “You’ll experience the most spectacular faith-affirming views and meet new people. In fact, you’ll meet yourself in a different way, and you’re guaranteed to be better for it.”
