TRACTOR Awareness Rally Brings Hope to Britstown and Beyond
- Karen Scheepers
- Sep 4
- 3 min read
Continuing the Journey of Awareness
The NWU TRACTOR Awareness Rally (Together Rallying Across Communities To Overcome Remembrance-loss) is steadily moving forward, carrying its message of dignity, remembrance, and resilience. After a meaningful stop in Hopetown on Tuesday, 2 September 2025, the rally reached Britstown on Wednesday, 3 September, where another day of connection and awareness unfolded.
The campaign, initiated by Esmé Marks and coordinated by NWU support staff under the Faculty of Health Sciences, continues its 1,900km route from Potchefstroom to Bredasdorp. Each stop brings fresh opportunities for families, caregivers, and communities to learn, share, and stand together in the face of dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Day Five: From Hopetown to Britstown
Yesterday in Hopetown proved to be a turning point in the rally’s journey. Families and caregivers shared deeply personal stories, turning the clinic visit into an open classroom of lived experience. Discussions not only highlighted the medical aspects of dementia but also touched on the emotional and financial strains that often weigh heavily on caregivers.
From there, the symbolic tractor pressed on to Britstown, carrying with it the themes of memory, care, and collective hope. The community in Britstown welcomed the team with warmth, reflecting the spirit of solidarity that the rally seeks to cultivate.
Healthcare professionals, student volunteers, and researchers engaged with locals through talks, storytelling, and service-learning activities. By blending research insights with lived realities, the rally reinforced the idea that awareness begins with listening.
Day Six: Britstown to Carnarvon
On Thursday, 4 September, the rally continued its route, moving from Britstown towards Carnarvon. The stop in Britstown was described by organisers as a success, with strong community participation and meaningful conversations. Families were able to access resources and support, while caregivers found encouragement in knowing they are not alone.
Now, as the tractor moves into Carnarvon, the focus remains on standing alongside caregivers and amplifying the voices of those often unheard in the struggle against memory loss. Each kilometre covered is symbolic of progress, not only in distance but in breaking stigma and strengthening networks of care.
Harnessing Media and Storytelling
The campaign continues to make use of digital platforms to expand its reach. Updates, videos, and stories are shared widely, ensuring the rally’s message extends beyond the towns along its path. A dedicated YouTube playlist allows supporters across South Africa to follow the journey, capturing the energy and emotion of each day’s events.
The campaign also uses the hashtag #TRACTORforMemory, which has become a rallying point for awareness efforts online. Through these digital channels, the initiative ensures that even those far from the rally’s route can participate in the journey.
A Movement that Keeps Growing
From Hopetown to Britstown and now on to Carnarvon, the TRACTOR Awareness Rally is not simply covering ground, it is planting seeds of understanding and empathy across South Africa. The success in Britstown highlights how communities are willing to engage when given the platform and support to do so.
As the tractor rolls onward, the campaign carries with it the voices of families and caregivers, the dedication of volunteers and researchers, and the hope that awareness will inspire action. The journey continues, reminding all who watch that dementia and Alzheimer’s care is not a solitary struggle but a shared responsibility.
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