The One Economy Foundation, in partnership with the Windhoek City Runners Club, utilized Namibia's leg of the Africa 7: Run Your Purpose initiative to promote mental resilience, healthy living, and youth development ahead of World Mental Health Day.

The continental initiative brings together seven marathon runs across seven African countries over seven consecutive days, leveraging endurance sport to raise awareness around education, mental health, and wellness.

Namibia served as the fourth stop on the demanding seven-country journey led by Olympian Roberto Mandje. Staged just days before World Mental Health Day on 10 October, the event placed strong emphasis on discipline, mental resilience, and healthy lifestyles.

Mandje highlighted that the broader goal of Africa 7 is to use running to build continental relationships and influence young people positively. He noted that physically visiting nations creates stronger connections than remote communication, using his sport as a vehicle to impact Africa's youth.

Beyond the physical endurance aspect, the initiative focused on purpose, community engagement, and forming long-term connections to support youth-focused programmes.

Mandje reflected that his motivation extends beyond athletics to uniting communities, acknowledging co-founder Zandar Campos for driving the initiative's vision to empower African youth. He added that the team will build on the connections made during the tour to foster ongoing collaboration.

The partnership provided the One Economy Foundation with a platform to showcase its youth programmes and safe spaces while reinforcing the role of sport in promoting mental well-being.

The Africa 7 journey is currently being documented for a prospective Netflix production, which will bring international visibility to the Namibian leg and its broader mental health message.