A vibrant trail run took place this past Saturday, 19 July at Matlosana Mall in Klerksdorp, setting the pace for the upcoming TRACTOR Awareness Rally, an inspiring campaign by North-West University (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 30 August to 11 September 2025, 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 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, email:
· Mrs Esmé Marks: Esme.Marks@nwu.ac.za · Tshwanelo Maleko: 35648376@mynwu.ac.za
Following link below to donate and make a difference https://apex.nwu.ac.za/ords/f?p=140:1:16553276600544
Together, we rally — one town, one story, one memory at a time. #TRACTORforMemory
NWU TRACTOR Team and external stakeholders
Esmé Marks – Project Manager & Tractor Driver
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Students engaging with community members in the parking lot
The Tractor
