Thousands of people took to the streets of Pretoria this past weekend in celebration of 30 years of democracy and the ideals of South Africa’s first democratic president, Nelson Mandela.

Held in the capital city for the first time, the annual 702 Walk the Talk saw participants walking from the Freedom Park Heritage Site to the Union Buildings (a newly-inscribed UNESCO World Heritage Site) on Sunday, July 29.

Participants could choose between either an 8 kilometre walk, or a 6.7km walk – in honour of Mandela Month and the 67 years that the iconic head of state devoted to public service and the fight for democracy.

The event took walkers through significant landmarks, starting at the Voortrekker Monument, traversing through Reconciliation Road and Freedom Park, and culminating at the Union Buildings – the democratic seat of government. Part of the route was also along the path that the body of Mandela took for its final visitation to the Union Buildings, where it lay in state in 2013.

Tshwane Mayor Cilliers Brink opened and participated in the 8km walk, while Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Peace Mabe, opened and walked the 6.7km route.

“We are immensely grateful to our sponsors, partners, Freedom Park and the City of Tshwane for their unwavering support. Thank you to the City of Tshwane residents for allowing us to shut down the roads for the event. A special thank you goes to the walkers, whose enthusiasm and participation brings life to this event year after year. Your commitment to 'walking the talk' exemplifies the unity and strength of our community,” said Keitumetse Madisha, National Head of Events at organiser Primedia Broadcasting.