Klerksdorp Midweek, Klerksdorp - A vibrant trial run took place at Matlosana Mall, setting the pace for the upcoming TRACTOR Awareness Rally, an inspiring campaign by NWU aimed at raising awareness around dementia and Alzheimer’s in South Africa. The TRACTOR campaign (Together Rallying Across Communities to Overcome Remembrance-loss) is a collaborative initiative driven by NWU’s Faculty of Health Sciences, Engineering Compliance, and the Department of Sustainability and Community Impact, in partnership with corporate and community stakeholders.
From August 30 to September 11, a sponsored Landini tractor will journey over 1 900 km from Potchefstroom to Bredasdorp, stopping in towns across the country to host community events, share stories, and provide support to families affected by memory-related conditions.
This campaign uses the image of a tractor, a powerful and familiar presence in many South African communities to symbolise the slow, steady progression of dementia and the unwavering resilience of caregivers and families. With over 187 000 South Africans aged 60 and older currently living with dementia - a number expected to rise to 250 000 by 2030 the need for awareness and support is more urgent than ever.
The Matlosana Mall trail run on July 19, brought together community members, students, and healthcare professionals in a spirited event that embodied the campaign’s goal: to rally support, reduce stigma, and foster empathy around the realities of dementia.
For more information or to get involved in the TRACTOR campaign, e-mail
