AFTER months of preparations, reggae artist and activist Jimmy Andersen – aka Chioza King of Africa – took the first step on his 18 000km journey to Cairo.With this journey, called Walk the Talk, he hopes to mobilize individuals and businesses to preserve and conserve water for the future.

Along the way he will hold various reggae concerts to raise money and awareness, as well as support communities that need clean water.

According to Andersen, who started playing music at the age of 15, it is the small things, that are often the most important things, that are being neglected.

“I want to concentrate on the small things that make life difficult for people in need. For example a tap that is not working or a burst water pipe that needs to be fixed. It is through these small acts of kindness that we can show our children a different way of caring,” says Andersen.

“It is a question of changing perspectives to begin with. After that, all the hard work starts.

According to Andersen, there was a time that he did not believe that this epic walk would realise, but he just kept on going.

“At the beginning of last year, everything came together – the music and the people. Now, I believe so much more in the project.

He left Cape Town in January 2014, spending six months in Bredasdorp and Knysna alternatively. From Knysna he took the road to Plettenberg Bay, Stormsriver, Tsitsikamma and Jeffreys Bay.

According to Andersen, there is no time limit to his journey.

“The reasons for this walk are many. First of all, I love Africa. The idea of walking the length of Africa and connecting with the people, is reason enough. I want to see Africa with my own eyes and experience it myself,” says Andersen.

“It also has a lot of personal meaning to me. My mother is from Zambia and my father a Chief from Malawi, whom I have never met due to differences in the two tribes at that time. I would love to meet my family on this journey.”

Andersen was born in Zambia, but grew up in Kenya and Tanzania, and also lived in Malawi, Denmark and now London.

. Andersen is currently performing at O’Chorros at the Seaview Mall in St Francis Street, Jeffreys Bay with a special Surf Rock Reggae concert during the JBay Winterfest from July 8 – 19. Music lovers can look forward to energetic Rock ’n Roll and reggae in the tradition of Bob Marley and Jimi Hendrik.

For more information, visit his Facebook Page

Reggae for Water or contact O’Chorros at 074 659 6833