Buffalo City metro social justice activist Mangaliso Kani has turned an extraordinary 100-mile endurance challenge into a powerful call for greater autism awareness, acceptance and support — saying the race was never about chasing a podium, but about bringing autism matters into everyday conversations.
Kani, a Wits University LLB graduate and University of Cape Town sociology graduate, recently completed the gruelling Washie 100 — covering 161km from Cathcart to Buffs Club. He told the Go! that he used the challenge to highlight the daily struggles experienced by autistic individuals and their families.
For him, every kilometre represented the frustration, isolation and lack of support many families continue to face.
The campaign brought together autism organisations, runners, businesses and community members.
His path into autism advocacy is deeply personal.
Kani’s family experienced first-hand the difficulties of raising and supporting a person with autism (his late brother), including challenges around education and appropriate support.
Kani’s brother’s experience, combined with Kani’s work at the Centre for Autism Research at UCT, gave him a deep understanding of these realities.
“I knew exactly how it felt to live with someone who has autism. I know exactly what other people are going through,” Kani said.
“Reality for many families includes meltdowns, frustration and a lack of support, with autism often receiving attention during World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, only for the conversation to fade afterwards.”
Kani believes awareness alone is not enough. “We need to move from awareness into acceptance,” he said, adding that communities need education to understand how to interact with autistic children and adults.
The Washie became a physical representation of that struggle. He began preparing in November last year, backed by a dedicated support team. While the first 80km went according to plan, nightfall brought severe exhaustion.
“My team told me I had stopped eating and drinking and that my body eventually began giving in. They sat me down, ensured that I ate and hydrated, and helped me recover before reminding me why I had started the journey in the first place,” Kani said. “They reminded me why I was doing it, and for whom. That was the lift-me-up I needed.”
Kani completed the challenge in 23 hours, 48 minutes and 35 seconds.
Beyond the finish line, he aims to create stronger support networks for parents and caregivers through a planned non-profit foundation launching next year.
The campaign received backing from Autism SA, JR Nkosi Autism Foundation, Autism With King, Ulala Njani Ungeko Fit, Be Still Autism Academy, and Buffalo Road Runners Athletic Club. Local corporate sponsors including BMW East London, Premier Hotel Regent, Anatomic Sportswear, Waterpoint Sunglasses, Motion Flex, and Recover East London also stepped up.
“This is not my project. This is a project of the entire village,” Kani said. “The running component of the campaign may be over, but I plan to continue the conversation through roundtable discussions and other initiatives. Autism must become part of everyday conversations, community planning, and the way society understands and supports autistic people and their families.”
