All Things Jabu is proud to announce that we are Red Sock Wearers. Red Sock Fridays is a fantastic initiative and we are proud to put our support towards this brand.
The Story Behind the Socks
Two young friends decided to explore the World. When it came time for one of them to return home, they decided they needed something to represent their friendship, the memories they had made and their shared passion for adventures to come.
They remembered a story that had been told – a story of courage and friendship that moved and inspired them to begin a new journey together, no matter where their seperate paths may lead them.
The story belonged to Sidney Feinson, a South African war veteran. Feinson joined the army in 1941. He was captured during the Battle of Tobruk, along with 97 other South African soldiers, and sent to a prisom camp in Italy. After 12 months imprisonment, Feinson and two friends managed to escape with the help of a beautiful young Italian woman and a priest. They made their way to the Swiss border, hiding in homes and churches along the way in order to escape the German troops.
Feinson and his friends decided to make a pact to commenorate lost friends, those who didnt manage to escape, and those who died in battle – they would wear red socks as a symbol of friendship, unity and remembrance.
It is this story of brotherhood and human connection that initiated the Red Sock Friday movement – an International phenomenon dedicated to fostering the same spirit Feinson and his friends grew as a tribute to their friends and the journey they all shared.
Now red-sockers around the world are embarking on their own journeys, inspired and passionate about the lives they live, and collecting their own stories to share with one another.
So take the opportunity to don the red socks and join the likes of Richard Levi, Bob Skinstad, Desmond Tutu, Ryan ten Doeschate, Ryan O’Connor, Ryan Sandes, Neil Carter, Justin Reid-Ross, Andrew Cronje, Hanli Prinsloo and many more.
One of the exciting challenges that the red sock friday crew have taken on is the Unogwaja Challenge.
In 1933, a man named Phil Masterton-Smith cycled I730km from Cape Town to Pietermaritzburg to take part in the Comrades Marathon. After his long journey to the starting line, Masterton-Smith took part in the Comrades the next day He placed 10th and earned himself the nickname Unogwaja, meaning “the hare”. This incredible story landed Masterton-Smith in the history books, and is at the heart of the UNOGWAJA challenge, Masterlon-Smith had already won the Comrades in 1931 at the age of 19, making him the youngest Comrades winner to date, He was later killed in battle during World War II.
In 2011 John McInroy (Red Sock Friday founder) along with Paul Blake, WP van Zyl and Lourens van Zyl embarked on the very same journey in order to raise funds for the Amabeadibeadi charity. Plans are afoot this year again for the 2012 Unogwaja Challenge with another charity to benefit from the brilliant pereserverance of these proud South Africans.
To find out more about the red socks you can follow on twitter for Red Sock Friday, John McInroy or the Unogwa Challenge. You can also read all about the initiative on Facebook and see updates on all thing related to red socks. If you would like to order a pair you can through John on twitter or by emailing iwearredsocksonfridays@gmail.com.
Red Socks means something different to everyone but in simple terms the dream is to spread positive energy across the World and connect as many like-minded people, and in doing so support positive movements.
All Things Jabu is a proud red socker!
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