Johannesburg – Disability rights activist Mqondisi Ntshangase set off from his home in Pretoria with a simple yet seemingly impossible goal – walking 5 000km across the country with a prosthetic leg as part of his #OneLegWalk.
The reason? “I want to prove that disability is not inability. There is no limit to what you can achieve,” explained the 37-year-old activist.
Known as King Nipho and originally from Krugersdorp, he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in 2012 and had his leg amputated in 2014 at the age of 25.
While it was a challenge to adjust to his new way of life, King Nipho doesn’t believe in taking anything lying down – and he’s out to show others that there’s always a way.
King Nipho set off on his journey for a noble cause on 25 May 2026.
His journey so far
#OneLegWalk has taken him from Pretoria to Cape Town and back up the country, with the aim of covering all nine provinces on this 5 000km journey.
He reached the halfway point in Gqeberha on Friday, 21 August, having already walked more than 2 000km, where members of the Association for the Physically Disabled (APD) in Nelson Mandela Bay turned out to welcome him and show their support.
Now, almost five months after setting off, King Nipho is making his way through KwaZulu-Natal.
He passed through Scottburgh on Thursday, 8 October 2026, and is heading towards Durban before continuing to Mbombela, Polokwane and, finally, back to Pretoria.
“The response has been overwhelming. The communities are loving it, and people are so interested in someone making history,” he said.
“It’s been an interesting journey, with challenges along the way, but people have been very supportive.
“They see what I’m trying to do and want to help. That kindness makes a big difference.”
Entirely self-funded, King Nipho has faced the practical difficulties of finding places to wash, do laundry, and rest before continuing along his route.
However, the kindness of strangers has helped keep him going.
Residents, councillors, and mayors in towns along the way have offered food, water, money, and accommodation.
Some residents invited him into their homes to do laundry, while others have helped arrange stays at guest houses and hotels.
A journey for more than one cause
For King Nipho, the #OneLegWalk is an opportunity to raise awareness about the experiences of people living with disabilities and encourage communities to become more inclusive.
His broader mission includes supporting initiatives that restore vandalised sports facilities to give children safe places to play, create opportunities for people living with disabilities, and rehabilitate or build shelters for people experiencing homelessness.
However, he also hopes his journey will inspire greater unity, peace and social cohesion in South Africa, reminding people of the importance of ubuntu.
With Durban next on his route, King Nipho, communities are encouraged to come out and show support for his incredible mission.
Keep updated via social media:
Am King Nipho on Facebook
@kingniphosa on TikTok
@kingniphosa on Instagram
