Healing through walking: Action Maluleke's quest to raise mental health awareness

In an inspiring effort to heal from depression and anxiety, Thabani Gwala, also known as Action Ndlovu Maluleke on social media, is walking to raise awareness about mental health.

Sharing his journey on TikTok, Gwala, an artist and playwright, opens up about his struggles with mental illness and the transformative power of walking.

After facing rejection in the arts and entertainment industry and nearly taking his own life in 2023, Gwala decided to embark on a walking journey.

"I started walking in June 2023 after almost committing suicide. There’s a lot of rejection in the arts. In this industry, people need to accept you first, which can lead to significant depression, especially when you don’t succeed in auditions or win proposals," he explains.

Gwala's first steps towards healing involved a ten-day walk from Umlazi to Johannesburg.

Since then, he has made multiple trips between the two cities, averaging just eight days each time.

He has also walked from Johannesburg to Tzaneen, Johannesburg to Cape Town and plans to undertake a remarkable journey from Cape Town to Egypt in the coming year.

Though he grew up in Umlazi, Gwala now resides in Johannesburg.

The incident that nearly led to his suicide motivated him to take action and walk.

His TikTok page is filled with videos documenting his journeys, and he has cultivated a supportive community of followers, sponsors, and fellow mental health advocates.

He frequently hosts live videos during his walks, engaging with his audience in real-time.

"The more I trend, the more support I receive, and the more people show interest," he notes regarding his social media growth.

However, life on the road is not without its challenges.

Gwala has admitted to suffering from swollen feet and occasionally sleeping without shelter.

"I rest at garages, police stations, and sometimes I am accommodated by friends who live near the highways. At times, I even sleep in the bushes," he shares.

His journey is not solely about his own healing; it is also about helping others.

"I want to heal other people, alongside healing myself, including the world and my loved ones," he expresses.

Gwala offers words of inspiration for young men: "Love yourself before you expect the world to love you back. Everything you expect from the universe, you must first do for yourself because you are the universe. Treat yourself well, be kind to yourself, and give yourself chances.

"Take things easy, travel and exercise. Move away from spaces where you feel underestimated, under pressure or uncomfortable. Move."

Through his journey, Gwala not only advocates for mental health awareness but also inspires others to embrace their own healing journeys.