Written by André Viljoen; Gateway News
Article originally published in the November 2026 issue of JOY! Magazine
Crosswalk Africa evangelist Reini Coetzee recently reached the 4000 km mark in his mission to wheel a wooden cross 10 000 km from Cape Town to Jerusalem. He said he and his two Tanzanian volunteers, David Noah Malamboma and Isaya Mwainyekule, arrived at Zakayo Lodge (Swahili for Zaccheus) in Tanzania, where they were blessed to share a Rosh Hashana meal with the Christian owners of the establishment.
Significant timing
In a phone interview, he said he was especially blessed that his crosswalk milestone and the Hebrew New Year coincided. He recalled starting a previous crosswalk – from Cape Town to Mussina – on Rosh Hashana in 2020. He said he wants to “be in God’s time – on His calendar”. At the start of the Hebrew Year 5787 he has been asking God to help him “lay down some stuff” and to “be in the right wineskin”.
Onwards through Kenya
Reini said he still has 1000 km of walking ahead of him before he reaches the Namanga border post between Tanzania and Kenya. The hot weather is making his walking more physically demanding. “The Lord is so amazing, opening doors and putting the right people in place.” Recently, when they were in Mbeya City, Reini was interviewed by Baraka FM, a local Christian radio station. The station is promoting Reini’s mission three times a day, so people along the way know about them.
Translator to help spread the Word
Isaya joined the mission to serve as a Swahili-English translator. Reini said this has made a great difference to his ability to minister to people along the way. “It is also a great personal blessing to me and David, our driver. I could see how frustrating it was for him.” David, a Swahili speaker, has been backup driving for Reini since he reached Tanzania. Until Isaya joined them, the two men could not understand each other. Reini said he was not sure how far his two volunteers will be able to continue with him, particularly after he crosses from Kenya into Ethiopia, where he anticipates language problems. Both David and Isaya joined the Crosswalk Africa mission after they were approached by Pastor Dixon Michael Mwanyambo, who told them about Reini’s need for a backup driver and an interpreter. Both say that in their hearts they would love to continue all the way to Jerusalem.
Equipped for ministry
Isaya said that when Pastor Dixon told him of Reini’s need for an interpreter, he agreed to join him at once, turning down the pastor’s offer to give him some preparation time before he embarked on the mission. “I said that since it’s God’s business, I can’t wait until everything is in place on my side. I’ll just go there.” He said he feels that the experience is growing him and equipping him for Christian ministry.
This article appears in the November 2026 issue of JOY! Magazine. Read the digital version of this magazine here: joygifts.co.za
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Date published: 24/10/2026
Feature image: Sourced from article originally published in the November issue of JOY! Magazine
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