Trail Run Ignites National Movement for Dementia Awareness at Matlosana Mall
- Karen Scheepers
- Jul 29
- 3 min read
This past Saturday, 19 July, the usually bustling Matlosana Mall in Klerksdorp became the heartbeat of something far deeper than fitness or fun, it marked the starting pulse of a growing national campaign to bring dementia and Alzheimer’s into the public eye. The event? A vibrant community trail run that blended athletic energy with heartfelt purpose, creating a ripple effect for the upcoming TRACTOR Awareness Rally.
Running for Remembrance
Organised as a prelude to the larger national awareness effort, the Matlosana Mall trail run drew participants of all ages, students, medical professionals, families, and concerned citizens. The message was clear: dementia affects us all, directly or indirectly, and the time to talk about it, support those living with it, and break the stigma is now.
While the run was symbolic, the cause behind it was urgent. With over 187,000 older South Africans currently living with dementia, and that number expected to climb to 250,000 by 2030, the rallying call isn’t just for awareness, it’s for action, compassion, and community resilience.
TRACTOR: A Journey of Hope
The TRACTOR campaign, which stands for Together Rallying Across Communities to Overcome Remembrance-loss, is a bold and creative initiative launched by North-West University (NWU). It’s spearheaded by the university’s Faculty of Health Sciences, in partnership with Engineering Compliance and the Department of Sustainability and Community Impact, and supported by corporate and civic partners.
From 30 August to 11 September 2025, a branded Landini tractor will roll out from Potchefstroom, covering more than 1,900 km to reach Bredasdorp in the Western Cape. Along the way, the tractor will stop in towns across the country, hosting events, sharing real stories, offering memory care resources, and celebrating the resilience of caregivers and those affected.
Why a tractor? As the campaign explains, the vehicle is both symbolic and strategic: “slow but steady, powerful and present”, a perfect metaphor for the long, enduring journey faced by those with memory-loss conditions and their support systems.
A Community-Driven Movement
Saturday’s trail run not only raised awareness but also built connections, between health professionals and families, between students and caregivers, between strangers united by empathy. Participants wore campaign shirts and sported temporary tattoos of the TRACTOR logo. Volunteers handed out leaflets explaining early signs of dementia, how to seek help, and why every small act of understanding matters.
In a country where mental health remains heavily stigmatized and many live far from care facilities, initiatives like TRACTOR become more than symbolic. They serve as mobile lifelines, delivering education, emotional support, and a sense of unity.
How to Get Involved
Community members and businesses alike are invited to support the TRACTOR campaign in several ways:
Volunteer or join the rally route
Spread awareness via social media using the hashtag #TRACTORforMemory
Donate to keep the journey moving at https://apex.nwu.ac.za/ords/f?p=140:1:16553276600544
Reach out directly to the campaign team:
Mrs Esmé Marks: Esme.Marks@nwu.ac.za
Tshwanelo Maleko: 35648376@mynwu.ac.za
One Town, One Memory at a Time
It’s not just metal and wheels that are on the move, it’s hope, visibility, and human connection. Saturday’s trail run was more than a warm-up; it was a call to walk, run, roll, and remember, together. Because when it comes to dementia, every step matters. Every voice matters. Every memory matters.
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