Japanese citizen Gump Suzuki has spent six months pulling his rickshaw on foot from the East Coast of Africa to Cape Town, South Africa, in a remarkable feat of endurance and cultural exchange.
The overnight TikTOK sensation has garnered the love of South Africans who waited for him at his different destinations with gifts of chips, sweets and cool drinks.
In a twist of fate, worlds collided when former F1 legend David Coulthard met Suzuki purely by chance as the Tokyo tour guide made his way to Green Point.
Suzuki crossed paths with the revered British former Formula 1 racer in the streets and the two exchanged a few fun comments.
Suzuki’s ultimate quest, which began in Nairobi, Kenya, and culminated in Mzansi, has not only tested his physical limits but has also captivated the hearts of many South Africans, who followed his adventure through social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram.
@capetownguy I bumped into @ガンプ鈴木 人力車の旅人 who has been running with his #Rickshaw from Kenya to Cape Town, how cool and impressive! #gumpsuzuki #CapeTown #Cycling #Running ♬ original sound - Cape Town Guy
Coulthard, an ambassador for Red Bull who was in the country for the Red Bull Showrun in Sandton, also embraced the warmth of South Africans.
Sporting a rickshaw on his back, Suzuki documented his breathtaking journey across diverse landscapes, engaging with locals and creating connections that transcended borders.
@capetalk Japanese content creator @gumpsuzuki joined Lester Kiewit in studio to share stories of his amazing 6 month journey on foot, from Nairobi to Cape Town…pulling his trusted rickshaw behind him. 🚶🏻♂️➡️🌍 Gump says his love for travelling made Africa a must see continent, while his love for his own culture was the reason he decided to bring his rickshaw along with him, to share his Japanese culture with the people of Africa! 🇯🇵🇿🇦 #gumpsuzuki #rickshaw #travel #africa #capetown ♬ original sound - CapeTalk
“So actually, I like travelling so that’s why I always like saying it’s just for fun,” Suzuki shared in an interview on Cape Talk’s “Good Morning Cape Town” with host Lester Kiewit.
“But when I went travelling in Africa, I got a lot of experience. So between Kenya to here, I just want to give power to the people,” he added.
His mission was underpinned by a desire to introduce his Japanese culture to the people he encountered along the way, making his journey not solely a physical challenge but a cross-cultural exchange.
The joy he brought to communities was palpable, as evident from the outpouring of affection from South Africans who recognised him from his inspiring videos.
User @kemoratile.s expressed her love for South Africa's new hero, stating: “I love Gump Suzuki!!!! S.A is rooting for you .”
Another local, @_jane_007_, recounted her personal encounter with Suzuki.
She wrote: “What an absolutely amazing humble sweet man he is and such a huge inspiration!”
The sentiment echoed a common theme among those who followed him, with @mxm3842 posting: “Wow, I have been watching Gump Suzuki since he started running from Kenya, we are inspired by him .”
As Suzuki puts down roots in South Africa, his journey stands not just as a testament to personal perseverance but as a mosaic of shared human experiences.
Each step, each interaction and each moment documented serves as a powerful reminder of the beauty found in travel and the connections forged between different cultures.