Walking The Talk Foundation’s 4-Day, 100km Fundraising Walk for Victor’s Sharks Academy Tuition
The adage “Charity begins at home” encouraged Walking The Talk Foundation founder, Dale van Blerk, to hit the road again when his son got the opportunity to study and play rugby at the Sharks Academy.
Having walked for the benefit of so many, Dale decided to do the same for his son, Victor. WTTF undertook a four-day, 100-kilometre fundraising walk from Amanzimtoti to Margate along the M2 coastal route. Completed from 3 – 6 December 2025, the journey was a deliberate act of endurance and commitment — a physical demonstration of what it takes to change a young person’s life through education and sport.
"There is no greater responsibility than being a father to a son."
The primary purpose of this walk was to raise funds to support Victor’s opportunity to study and play rugby at the Sharks Academy in 2026. The total cost for Victor to be part of this highly professional rugby and academic programme amounts to R241,000.00.
The Sharks Academy offers a structured environment that combines elite rugby training with academic development. Through this programme, Victor will have the opportunity to work towards NQF Levels 4, 5, and 6, equipping him with both sporting excellence and recognised academic qualifications.
This opportunity represents a critical stepping stone in Victor’s transition into adulthood — enabling him to pursue his dream of becoming a professional rugby player while securing a strong foundation for his long-term future beyond the field.
"A son is a celebration of life, a reflection of the values we cherish, and a promise to our future."
Dale completed the entire 100km walk alone to underscore WTTF’s belief in personal sacrifice, guidance, and leading by example when advocating for meaningful and sustainable change.
Although the walk itself was a solo affair, the journey was a team effort. A huge thank you for the support of dedicated partners who ensured safety, logistics, and overall coordination throughout the route:
This initiative was made possible through the generosity and commitment of the following sponsors and contributors:
The four-day walk raised R75,000.00 toward Victor’s R241,000.00 Sharks Academy tuition for 2026 — a significant step forward, and one that demonstrates what is possible when individuals, partners, and purpose align.
Yet meaningful opportunity is rarely created in a single stride. The remaining funding gap represents the final hurdle between potential and participation — and an opportunity for corporations and partners to play a direct role in shaping a young person’s future through education, discipline, and sport.
By supporting Victor’s journey, partners are not only investing in athletic development, but in accredited education, life skills, and long-term employability beyond professional sport. It is a measurable, human-centred investment with lasting impact.
The Walking the Talk Foundation invites corporates, trusts, and individual supporters to help close the remaining funding gap and ensure that Victor can take up his place at the Sharks Academy in 2026 — fully equipped to pursue excellence on and off the field.
Guided by gratitude, purpose, and a belief in opportunity, we are reminded that when commitment is shared, lives can be changed — one step, one partnership, and one future at a time.
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