EAST LONDON– Hemingways Casino celebrated 24 years of entertainment and community engagement in grand style with its Big Walk event, held on Saturday, 4th October 2025. The 5-kilometre(km)fun walk brought together participants of all ages for a vibrant morning of fitness, entertainment and celebration. Open to the public, the event was designed to merge community involvement with the casino’s signature focus on fun and entertainment. With the slogan ‘Entertain. It’s what we do,’ the casino aimed to create a festive atmosphere while reinforcing its role as a hub for community-friendly activities.
One of the morning’s highlights was 71-year-old Hettie van De Merwe, a former runner turned walker, who won the top prize a two-night bed-and-breakfast stay at the Hemingways Tsogo Sun Hotel. “I feel so lucky to have joined the walk at my age,” said van De Merwe. “I walk four to five times a week, covering about 100km a month. I’m motivated by staying healthy both physically and mentally.”
Marketing Manager at Hemingways Casino Vuyolwethu Bhuqa, expressed excitement about the turnout and the event’s significance. “Today we’re celebrating 24 years of service and we decided to do it in style with a 5km walk. The energy has been amazing people are excited to be here. After the walk, we hosted fun fitness activities like step aerobics and boxing, led by Metro Gym. We’ve also partnered with incredible sponsors including Virgin Active, Coca-Cola and Alderson Ambulance.”
The walk attracted 180 enthusiastic participants and was kicked off in true Eastern Cape fashion by the Royal Riders bike club, adding flair and excitement to the morning.
Adding to the fitness festivities was Metro Gym, who brought their energy and passion to the event. In addition their General Manager, Iviwe Mrhwashu shared an invitation to the broader community. “We have eight branches across the Eastern Cape. We’re inviting everyone to enjoy five free days at any of our gyms and come see the magic that we do.”
Beyond the physical activity and entertainment, the event also echoed an important message about responsible gambling.
The casino reminded guests and participants that ‘winners know when to stop,’ aligning with the National Responsible Gambling Programme and underlining Hemingways Casino’s commitment to promoting healthy habits and responsible behaviour among its patrons.
As Hemingways Casino marks nearly a quarter-century of operation, the Big Walk proved to be a fitting celebration bringing people together through movement, joy and a shared commitment to healthy, responsible fun.
Photographs: supplied
