June 21 is Naked Hiking Day. So, if you have the urge to feel the breeze between your legs, now is your chance, Capetonians. Or is it?
Public nudity in South Africa is not legal:
According to the Kwa-Zulu Natal Naturist Association, “public nudity is prohibited and it is seen by law as ‘indecent exposure’. This does not mean you can’t be nude in the privacy of your own home and private backyard, or any other appropriate public place like a naturist beach or resort. The key is to respect other people’s beliefs and not to offend. Enjoy your naturist activities in private and stay out of the sight of your neighbours and the general public.”
But, this doesn’t mean you can’t get behind the cause. Naked Hiking Day is about more than stripping for gees.
‘Naked Hike for Men’:
Fanafikile Lephakha, the founder of ‘Naked Hike for Men’, is using the occasion to start a conversation about men overcoming certain fears and body bashing – including body dysmorphia, penis insecurity and body-shaming.
In 2021, Lephakha’s naked hike took place in QwaQwa in the Drakensberg. The journey was 3 kilometres and kicked off in 5-degree weather conditions. There was a countdown to the initial undressing, whereafter there were a few giggles. The group quickly got comfortable and the real journey began: discovery; connection; “killing” insecurities. It was a massive success and this year, the hike is taking place from 24 to 26 June.
“The Naked Hike and Enlightenment Camp is an extension of the naked hike that took place on 21 June 2021 as part of the World Naked Hiking Day. As a life coach, I wanted to use this experience for helping men heal from their insecurities, accept their imperfections and face the challenge of hiking naked in the cold Drakensberg Mountains,” Lephakha told Cape {town} Etc.
This year’s camp will include activities that are geared towards helping the men deal with their emotional challenges, face their fears and learn how to focus on their goals. Activities will include firewalking, naked hiking and scream therapy. Lephakha is a certified personal development trainer and firewalking instructor.
The hike falls under Lephakha’s Mind Refinery courses: personal development seminars where people undergo a process of transformation by participating in a series of activities geared to helping them realise some of their limiting beliefs, teaching them about networking, goal setting and communication.
Naked women’s hikes have also been introduced, with the first one completed in November 2021. Get in touch at [email protected] or check out the Facebook page for upcoming events.
Hiking naked in Cape Town:
From golden oldies to young skippers, the Cape’s mountains are always dotted with hiking enthusiasts (that are clothed). To avoid traumatizing fellow hikers, and especially children, we suggest keeping things PG and sticking to the law: no nudity.
So how does one celebrate Naked Hiking Day? For the love of all things legal, not on Lions Head!
Find a secluded spot and be discrete. When you reach said secluded spot, what happens between you and Mother Nature will be your secret to keep.
Enjoy, Cape {town} Etc, family! And please don’t share your pictures with us …
Here are 5 hikes with waterfalls to visit:
Five waterfall hikes to enjoy after the rain, with gorgeous photography
Picture: Fanafikile Lephakha / Supplied