African Rainbow Expedition

[Marc Lurie]

Hi all,

The modern-day adventurer, Kingsley Holgate* has just recently embarked on a year-long expedition through Mozambique, Tanzania and Kenya, called The African Rainbow Expedition : http://www.africanrainbowexpedition.co.za

Using a 1975 109' forward control, a Defender 130, a Defender 110, and a 14m long 35 ton Arab Dhow, Kingsley and his team will travel to the most inaccesible places in those regions, educating people about the dangers of malaria and distributing thousands of bed nets.

Every minute of every day a child dies from malaria. Malaria is, by far, the most pressing health issue in Africa and yet it can be easily prevented with reletively inexpensive measures such as bed nets and good information.

The launch of the expedition was on Friday 3rd June from outside Durban, South Africa. My company sponsored the radio equipment that the expedition will be using, and I took some photo's at the launch.

I'll be posting them to the forum as they become available, as well as updating this thread about the progress of the expedition.

Kingsley has said that he welcomes any volunteers to join the expedition to assist with mercy-runs to keep the expedition well supplied with mozzie nets.

Regards,
Marc




* Kingsley Holgate and his family have undertaken many adventures including traversing the length of Africa on water, following the Zambezi river from source to mouth, and The Capricorn Adventure where they circumnavigated the globe overland following the tropic of Capricorn. The trip took them through Africa, South America, Australia, and finally Madagascar.

Kingsley is an imposing figure. He stands well over 6 foot, and has an enormous grey beard and a spontaneous belly-laugh. He is also sponsored by Captain Morgan Rum, and appears in several of their adverts.

His home website is http://www.kingsleyholgate.co.za

You can download his Captaion Morgan advert here: http://www.kingsleyholgate.co.za/captain_morgan_ad.mpg (http://www.kingsleyholgate.co.za/captain_morgan_ad.mpg)

[Marc Lurie]

Hello all,

The attached photos were received from the expedition which is currently in Pemba, Northern Mozambique.

[Spysmys]

Hey Marc,

Really nice pics.

Good to see Kingsley joint the double cab club, viva Kingsley viva !!

Cheers

[Hubber]

cracking pictures :)

[Marc Lurie]

The expedition launched the second phase of their plans, with the launch of "The Spirit of Adventure", a 14m long arab dhow that will be used to distribute mosquito nets along the otherwise inaccesable (even by Landrover) villages of the Rovuma River and the Rufiji River.

Here are some pics taken in Pemba, Northern Mozambique.

If anyone is interested, I'm thinking of getting a group of people together to join the expedition in December this year. My general idea is to drive to the expedition over about 5 to 7 days through the length of Mozambique, spend a few days with the expedition, and then spend a week or so travelling back to SA via Malawi. It'd be great if some of the forum members could join us. Any comments?

I particularly like the pic of the Zulus looking under the Landie. It's not a great shot, but the content is great. To see a Zulu in traditional dress fascinated by the OME springs on the landie... :D

[El Stiemo]

Nice pics!


I was planning to do the Luderitz to Walvis Bay in December, but we can talk about Moz. I'll discuss it with the other usual suspects here.

[Marc Lurie]

I was planning to do the Luderitz to Walvis Bay in December, but we can talk about Moz. I'll discuss it with the other usual suspects here.

Why on earth would anyone WANT to go to Walvis Bay? :D The last time I was there I thought it was exactly like Germiston or Boksburg. No character, no soul, no passion etc. Just up the road is Swakopmund, and it's a great little town. Luderitz is also very nice, and I'd like to go back there some time.

Seriously though, I'm sure you'd have a great time on a safari through to Tanzania. Give it some thought... :)

Marc

[El Stiemo]

Why on earth would anyone WANT to go to Walvis Bay? :D The last time I was there I thought it was exactly like Germiston or Boksburg. No character, no soul, no passion etc. Just up the road is Swakopmund, and it's a great little town. Luderitz is also very nice, and I'd like to go back there some time.

Seriously though, I'm sure you'd have a great time on a safari through to Tanzania. Give it some thought... :)

Marc

:D Well actually its about the trip there and not the destination...:D You drive through the dunes and along the "long wall" for about 500 km and then happen to end up in Walvis Bay;)

But it's only 30 clicks to Swakop...:D which is where I live anyway.

I'll think about it, let you know. Where are you starting out from?

[Geobloke]

Wow Hakuna with what you and the others are doing, good on you all!

The pic of the zulus is class I really like it, old world meets new world!! :D

Is that you in the pics mate, with the beard? if so nice beard, big n bushy just as they should be! ;)

[Pete H]

Great pics Marc,keep erm comin,as you get them,of course its an interestin thread ;)

[Rich_P]

I've seen this mentioned in LROi in the last issue too.

[K&S]

If anyone is interested, I'm thinking of getting a group of people together to join the expedition in December this year. My general idea is to drive to the expedition over about 5 to 7 days through the length of Mozambique, spend a few days with the expedition, and then spend a week or so travelling back to SA via Malawi. It'd be great if some of the forum members could join us. Any comments?

:D

Great idea. If my daughter wasn't getting married in December I would join. However I'm going to tell a mate of mine whom I'm sure would love to join you with his Disco V8. Sounds like you had a great time.

Kevin

[Marc Lurie]

I will be leaving from Johannesburg. The route will probably be Johannesburg to Maputo, then up the Mozambique coast, stopping at Zavora, Inhasorro, Morungulo, Beira, Gorongoza, Wuelimane, Nampula, Pemba, Mocimboa da Praia, then accross the Rovuma River into Tanzania. The return will possibly be through Malawi, following Lake Malawi all the way down to the bottom, and then home either through Zimbabwe, or through Mozambique again.

Currently Bob Mugabe is high up on my Sh*t List, so Zimbabwe might not happen.

Nothing's firm yet, but I'll post to this thread as things happen.

I'll be loading some of Rob Till's photos later today.

Marc

[Spysmys]

I wanna go, I wanna go

please can you stop the thread, you are making me greeeeen....... :p:p:p

[Astbury]

I wanna go!! Nice 130 too!

C

[El Stiemo]

I will be leaving from Johannesburg. The route will probably be Johannesburg to Maputo, then up the Mozambique coast, stopping at Zavora, Inhasorro, Morungulo, Beira, Gorongoza, Wuelimane, Nampula, Pemba, Mocimboa da Praia, then accross the Rovuma River into Tanzania. The return will possibly be through Malawi, following Lake Malawi all the way down to the bottom, and then home either through Zimbabwe, or through Mozambique again.

Currently Bob Mugabe is high up on my Sh*t List, so Zimbabwe might not happen.


Marc

Hi Marc

actually that doesn't sound bad, Swakopmund to Joburg is only two days driving, and then on the return it would mean we can split up in Malawi and we go back through Zambia and Caprivi - Doing a transMoz from South to North should be fun... We'll see. When do you need a definite answer?

Frank

[Marc Lurie]

These are a few of the low resolution versions of Rob Till's photographs. More to follow...

The people in the group shot are (Left to right) Chris, Candice, and Helen from Captain Morgan, and Dewald from Landrover SA. He's the guy in charge of service and quality issues, and his huge task is to get service levels up, and customer perceptions improved. He's a good bloke, with a genuine passion for Land Rover. I've told him about this forum, and he was very interested.

Astbury, Spys etc.: Stop moaning and make a plan... :D

Geo: That's not me with the beard :eek: ... That's Kingsley Holgate (http://www.kingsleyholgate.co.za) the explorer who is leading the expedition.

Marc

[El Stiemo]

Marc

:( NOOO I did not want to see the picture of the dhow and now I cannot concentrate anymore because now I want to go to MOZ ;)

Seriously, they are nice.

Frank

[Spysmys]

Astbury, Spys etc.: Stop moaning and make a plan... :D

Marc

Hey Marc,

How's the head today, you were a bit grumpy yesterday, good to see I'm not the only one who suffers from the odd babelaas !

You've got no idea how much I would like to join a real expedition like this one. It's been my passion for a very long time. Never had a real opportunity but hey, I'm only 30 and the best half of my life is still to come. Just trying to make a few bucks over here to be able to do the great things I've always wanted. Believe me, it's not easy being 11 000 miles away from the country you love, sometimes the frustration gets the better of me........

As they say in the amry, vasbyt, min dae !!!

[Marc Lurie]

Here are some more of Rob Till's photos.

[Spysmys]

Here are some more of Rob Till's photos.

Marc, Are you waking up or passing out under that red sleeping bag ?

[Marc Lurie]

And a few more of Rob Till's photos.

That's it for now. I'm expecting a CD full of images from Kingsley some time in the future.

Marc.

[El Stiemo]

Marc, Are you waking up or passing out under that red sleeping bag ?


LOL:hugegrin:

[Marc Lurie]

Marc, Are you waking up or passing out under that red sleeping bag ?

I don't think I knew at the time... :rolleyes:

We finished off 3 cases of Captain Morgan, 4 five litre wine boxes, and about 6 cases of Laurentina and 2M. And then had 3 hours sleep.

[El Stiemo]

I don't think I knew at the time... :rolleyes:

We finished off 3 cases of Captain Morgan, 4 five litre wine boxes, and about 6 cases of Laurentina and 2M. And then had 3 hours sleep.



Iesh! Between you and who else?:D

[Spysmys]

I don't think I knew at the time... :rolleyes:

We finished off 3 cases of Captain Morgan, 4 five litre wine boxes, and about 6 cases of Laurentina and 2M. And then had 3 hours sleep.

:Yikes1: ouch, can I sing you a song :

Prohep's a jolly good fella, Prohep's a jolly good fella !!

I stopped drinking the Captain about 5 years ago, I now drink the baby brother : Spiced Gold. At one time Captain was flowing in my vains !!
I know it takes about 4 days and a lot of toast and marmite to get over a night of drinking the Captain. Respect !!

[Marc Lurie]

Spys, what do you think about the Captain Morgan Promo shot with the bottle and the dhow?

I discovered that Captain and Tab is much nicer than Captain and Coke, 'cos there's no caffeine so you sleep like a log.

Brigid hates it when I drink to the Captain because I seldom drink it at home. That means that I'm usually drinking the stuff and eating porra food with lots of garlic and camping all at the same time. She says the smell is awful. :eek: I can agree with her...

Marc

[Murphree]

Hi Marc,

Nice pics! I am off to Mozambique next Wednesday (God and the bank manager allowing)! I am working on a project where we are developing a land-use plan for the Cahora Bassa basin. I'll drive up to Tete and explore both north and south shores of the lake. The south shore I know well but the north is still a bit of a mystery. I'll come back via the Mukumbura border post (home of the famous Mukumbura Surf Club - during the bad old war days) into Zim and back here.

Cheers for now,
Mike

[Spysmys]

Spys, what do you think about the Captain Morgan Promo shot with the bottle and the dhow?

I discovered that Captain and Tab is much nicer than Captain and Coke, 'cos there's no caffeine so you sleep like a log.

Brigid hates it when I drink to the Captain because I seldom drink it at home. That means that I'm usually drinking the stuff and eating porra food with lots of garlic and camping all at the same time. She says the smell is awful. :eek: I can agree with her...

Marc

I Love that pic, can you send me the original, I want to use it as my wallpaper. I will PM you my e-mail.

My Misses (Zelda) has the same problem, I used to smoke Camel plain, drink Captain, eat garlic prawns and then tried to hide it with a few stimeroll and deo. In fact that made it all worse, until she made me sleep on the stoep one night. Of course I couldn't care less at that stage, but the mozzies carried me around the house at least 3 times :D Never touched it again .........

A buddy of mine still drinks Red Hart, geezeee that stuff stinks !!! you can smell Neville through a bullet proof glass !!

B.T.W. we don't get TAB in the UK, and Diet Coke (or Coke light) is like diluted normal Coke. I won't touch the stuff, give me my Spiced + Diet Sprite. Hence the name "Spysmys" !!!!!!

[Marc Lurie]

I am off to Mozambique next Wednesday (God and the bank manager allowing)! Mike

Mike, if you're comming through Jo'burg on your way to Zim, the offer of a beer or two still stands...

I hope you have enough spare fuel for Zim. There's ******-all there at the moment.

Marc

[Murphree]

Thanks Marc. Might do that on my way back. As for fuel my Landy has a 1200km range and I have fuel in Harare - so i should be okay there. Send me your cell # so if I do come your way i can give you a call.

Cheers,
Mike

[Marc Lurie]

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE EXPEDITION

African Rainbow Expedition reaches Pemba.

The branded Land Rover convoy, in support of malaria prevention slowly rolls into town. To the west of the road, surrounded by mangrove swamps and giant grey baobabs, lies Africa’s largest natural bay. It’s waters glittering like a shining jewel in the early morning light. Somewhat worn-out by their long journey up the coast from Durban, South Africa, the African Rainbow Expedition has reached Pemba, the colourful capital of Mozambique’s far north Cabo Delgado province, where we pick up the story in Kingsley Holgate’s words…

I wouldn’t have missed this journey for anything. It’s been a fascinating odyssey. The beauty of the palm-fronted coast, the colourful and friendly village people, the adventure of pulling and pushing our expedition vehicles across deep, wide rivers, the campfires at night and the fulfilment of saving lives through our One Net – One Life campaign.

We bounce along goat tracks, the elephant grass taller than the Land Rovers, our objective is always clear. It’s to distribute mosquito nets to mothers with babies in isolated, rural villages. One can see the appreciation in their faces. Expedition member, Senor Baptista from the Mozambican Ministry of Health, hands out pamphlets and conducts entertaining anti-malarial talk-ups. Local chiefs and community leaders always attend. There’s singing, dancing and the beating of hand-carved rawhide drums, bicycle races for the young men, nets for the mums and USAID branded t-shirts and anti-malarial products for the village elders.

Pierre, a South African volunteer, carries two tons of insecticide-impregnated nets in his thirty-four year old forward control Landrover, which we’ve nicknamed Mzee Kobe, meaning the old tortoise in Swahili. On the side of the truck is painted a large Anopheles mosquito against a big red cross with the words One Net – One Life.

Malaria report-back forms are filled out giving details of each village, GPS co-ordinates, population size, high moderate or low malaria risk details, name of community leader and the nearest clinic or hospital. The official African Rainbow Expedition ink stamp comes down with a bang, the elders carefully endorse the scroll of Peace & Goodwill we’re carrying across Africa. Mothers shout in jubilation as they wave their PSI supplied mosquito nets in the air. Music blares from the Land Rover’s horn speaker, chickens scurry across the track as we head north.

Breakfast is leftover stew and stale Portuguese bread toasted on the coals. Coffee laced with condensed milk is drunk from dented enamel mugs. We buy bananas and paw paws at roadside markets and fill our water containers at the village pump. It’s not always easy, ironically, one of the team is down with malaria and I’ve got a septic tropical ulcer that’s gone right through to the bone. Last night a thundering downpour caught us unawares as we camped on the banks of the Rio Lurio. But our spirits are certainly not dampened as from Pemba Bay we prepare to launch the “Spirit of Adventure”, a traditional Swahili sailing dhow that will support our One Net – One Life campaign up the East coast of Africa to the border with Somalia. Sponsors and media are flying in for the launch. There’s an exciting buzz! Today we use the branded Land Rovers to pull the mast up. It’s full moon and the Swahili crew work throughout the night stitching the lateen rigged sail. The hardwood planks are caulked with cotton waste soaked in palm nut oil. The hull is waterproofed with shark fat oil and as is the Swahili custom, hand carved eyes known as “Macho’s”decorated with the crescent and the star, will be attached to either side of the bow to ward off danger. The South-East monsoon winds known here as the Kusi are picking up daily and soon and we’ll be on our way. Thanks for all your support for the One Net – One Life project.

Siyabonga and best wishes

Kingsley and the African Rainbow Team

[El Stiemo]

Hey Marc


where did you stay when you were in Pemba? We used to stay at Russel's camp right on the beachfront. By the way when next you are up there, there is a real insider tip for you. Every Full moon, there is a "full moon party" right at the point of the bay, there is a private individual who owns a wooden holiday home there and they have a big party for the full moon. Drink, Food, Music and then the full moon comes up from right accross the ocean. Pure magic.

Has Kingsley ever been to Nam?

Cheers

Frank

[Marc Lurie]

Hey Marc


where did you stay when you were in Pemba? We used to stay at Russel's camp right on the beachfront.

The expedition stayed at Russels for a few days before they settled at base camp, but they were not too impressed about the fact that there were three accidents in three days... INSIDE THE CAMPSITE :rolleyes: . It's all the "giggle twig" that the backpacker types seem to consume in vast quantities... :D

Base camp is on the beach in the bay. If you drive out of Pemba, and take a right turn into the bush just past the airport, the road winds its way accross a small flat section and then goes off down some steep hills towards the beach. It's about 10 min from the airport, on a private farm belonging to a woman called Brenda. (the Great Dane in one of the photos is Duke, Brenda's dog).

I am absolutely certain that Kingsley has been to Nam. :D The Tropic of Capricorn runs straight throuh southern Namibia just south of Rehoboth, and Kingsley (and family) circumnavigated the earth along the tropic a few years ago. (Mozambique, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Australia, and Madagascar)

Marc

[Spysmys]

The Capricorn expedition was shown on Adventure One channel last night at 17:00. This is program 1 of 7. They have completed the Mozambique stage of the route and have reached the Kruger National Park border. I've seen this series before, and I recommend you all watch this...............

cheers

[El Stiemo]

The Capricorn expedition was shown on Adventure One channel last night at 17:00. This is program 1 of 7. They have completed the Mozambique stage of the route and have reached the Kruger National Park border. I've seen this series before, and I recommend you all watch this...............

cheers

:sobbing:

I did not need to know that! NBC (Namibian broadcasting corporation) never shows anything interesting in the first place and secondly it would only make me want to lock up the office, get in the landy and just get out!

On the subject of the NBC: A couple of years ago, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip were here on a state visit. The news announcer said that evening: Queen Elizabeth the eleventh (couldn't read roman II) and the Duck of Edinburgh (instead of Duke) arrived in Windhoek today. I rest my case.

[Marc Lurie]

:sobbing:

I did not need to know that! NBC (Namibian broadcasting corporation) never shows anything interesting

DSTV?

[El Stiemo]

DSTV?

What do yo think? :sobbing:

no DSTV

[Marc Lurie]

Hello all,

The attached file is a zipped MP3 recording of part of a conversation I had with Kingsley this morning via HF radio. I've recorded it at a lousy sampling speed, so it doesn't sound as good as the original, but at least it should be audible.

The expedition is going along well apart from the fact that Bruce Lesley (one of the expedition assistants) was badly stabbed in the neck, arms, and legs during an attempted robbery of one of the inflatable boats. A casevac Lear Jet was sent from Johannesburg to get him to the nearest decent hospital (Flora Clinic in Johannesburg). He was critical for a few days, but is recovering well now and can't wait to get back to the expedition.

If this audio is acceptable, please let me know, and I'll post additional stuff as I record it.

Regards,
Marc

[Marc Lurie]

Interview with Kingsley on the dhow in northern Mozambique, talking over HF Radio to Jocelyne Rowe in Durban, South Africa.

— Malaria 6 to Malaria 1 … do you copy ... over?



“Receiving you … go ahead … over!” came a faint reply from a lone Arab dhow loaded with mosquito nets sailing on the south east monsoon. And so, amidst occasional static and break-up we’re able to bring you the latest on the African Rainbow Expedition in Kingsley Holgate’s words …



— How’s your “One Net - One Life” journey going?



“ … At times its tough and the Kusi trade wind blows up a storm. We threw coins into the deep to propitiate the spirits as we rounded “Ponta do Diabo” – Devils Point. Using the “Amina – The Spirit of Adventure” as the mother ship, we off-load nets onto the Yamaha-powered inflatable boats that take us through the mangroves to inaccessible rural villages where there are no health services. There is no doubt that we are saving lives and it’s a great adventure ...!”



— Tell me about your team King …?



“ … On the Dhow there is capable Captain Simba who unfortunately snores like a lion … Mahommed the brave has body which belongs on the cover of Men’s Health – it’s nothing for him to climb to the top of the 45 foot mast with a knife in his mouth to cut jammed rigging in a storm … Zacharia, the ship’s carpenter caulks the planks as we go … Fai Chababe, the interpreter, trades for fish and supplies … Sufo, Juma and Jojo Sulimane are master mariners. Swahili is the language of the Dhow and our days begin with “Salaams!” all round! Also, an old friend, Charles Gornal-Jones from Pemba with his French girlfriend Valerie de Rouge, have jumped on board to help - it’s a great combination. Its incredibly physical work - the wind is our only engine! Johnny Clegg plays from two, wooden, box speakers and everyone hauls on the ropes! I couldn’t survive without the crew! They are the expedition…!”



— What are you guys eating …?



“ … Fish and more bloody fish! Charles is a demon with prawns and giant, red mud crabs – we sit crossed-legged on the deck and eat with our fingers! Its fish with rice, fish with maize meal, fish with village bread and by way of change – calamari, crayfish and octopus! Fresh water is a problem and sometimes we’ll spend an entire day hauling containers by rubber duck from a village well. We finished the last of the Captain Morgan – it just doesn’t keep …!”




— And … any magic moments?



“ … Rolling out a bed roll, sleeping on deck under the stars, the creaking and groaning of the hand-built Dhow, schools of dolphins, the occasional whale, the freedom, wind blowing through the beard, sitting, legs dangling from the bowsprit as “Amina - The Spirit of Adventure” – her giant lateen rigged sail pregnant with the Kusi trade wind, ploughs through the swell, the appreciation of the mothers as they receive their mosquito nets and always, there’s the adventure, not knowing what the next day will bring! …”



— Any Hassles …?



“ … Well it seems as if sometimes one has to risk lives to save lives – We rolled one of the Landys but she’s back on her wheels and she’s fine – Three of the expedition members including myself have been down with malaria already – Tropical ulcers are the order of the day – There are days when the sailing is a bit scary and then of course, Bruce getting knifed trying to save an outboard engine, he’s recovering well and we’re missing him and of course, expecting to join us again soon…..! Apart from that, it’s a great adventure and entirely worthwhile …!”





-- Anything strange?



“Yes! One village was being terrorised by a human lion….. Yes!! A human that has been turned into a lion by a witch doctor and had become a hired killer. They say it is not uncommon here and that the most painful part is the growing of the tail. Recently one of these wizards was caught by the villagers and they drove a sharpened stick right through him. Witchcraft and superstition is rife here and an old man tells me that in this area, sometimes the big baboon that walks alone, rape women. Here people, they tell me, can also turn into elephant and hyenas….!”





-- Anything wonderful?



“|Yes, at the end of the day, it’s the incredible appreciation by the village people for what we are doing. They dance and sing and make up songs about fighting malaria….. it’s wonderful!”





— How’s the Land Rover party getting along …?



“ … Relying on GPS and HF Radio, we only see them every few days. They follow goat tracks and sometimes there are no bridges! Mashozi - that’s Gill my wife, is in charge, she drives the one Land Rover nick-named “Livingstone” while Dane Hewitt drives “Stanley”, the other Landy! Yesterday, we joined forces with Colin Fitzgerald’s team from 4x4 Mega World in South Africa in an exciting exercise. Using their massive inflatable pontoon we floated one of the Landys across the crocodile-infested, Munuwayo River! Over thirty years ago, during the Portuguese days, dug-outs were lashed together to do this crossing but since then, no vehicle has made it across! The villagers couldn’t believe their eyes! And as the wind increased, I had visions of having to explain to the sponsors why a Land Rover of mosquito nets had fallen into the drink! Fortunately we made it! The Land Rover party is doing a great job of the “One Net – One Life” campaign …!”



— And finally Kingsley; - are you getting enough support …?



“ … Here, the statistics are shocking, every minute of every day and night; a baby dies from the blood sucking bite of the deadly female Anopheles mosquito! Whilst our slogan is “One Net – One Life” it could also read: “One Net Saves Many Lives” - as very often, a mother with several children will share the net. This campaign would not be possible without the support from Motorola who clearly demonstrate their care for the people of this continent! We’re getting great exposure through the BBC, the Voice of America, the SABC - Into Africa Service and the South African media at large but at times I am overwhelmed by the magnitude of the problem! Getting to a village where not a single mother has a mosquito net and the lack of knowledge … all the death … and when you think that all it takes to save lives, is the educated use of a net! Tomorrow we head North for Mocimboa da Praia and then onto the Rovuma River – the boundary between Northern Mozambique and Southern Tanzania. The wind is in our sails – thanks Motorola for all your support … We couldn’t do it without you.…!”



Squelch, Squelch, over and out from the African Rainbow Team …… talk again next week.

[El Stiemo]

D*mmit Marc now I'm daydreaming about northern Moz again!

...Instead of finishing my accounting...

But I must say that Kingsley seems to be doing an excellent job up there and thanks for bringing the efforts of a modern day adventurer to the eyes and ears of an international audience. We could use such an effort here too.

Keep us posted!

[Marc Lurie]

Hi El,

Did you listen to the audio file? If so, what do you think?

Marc

[Marc Lurie]

Today's update:

Kingsley told me over the radio today that they'd had a problem with one of the Land Rovers not starting. They traced the problem to the ignition switch wiring. A rat had gotten in under the dashboard and gnawed away at the wires. :rolleyes:

They're back on the road again.

There is an interview this afternoon, Friday 5th August on Talk Radio 702 with David O'Sullivan between 4pm and 6pm local time. (That's 3pm to 5pm UK time). They have audio streaming at http://www.702.co.za if you're interested.

Regards,
Marc

[Marc Lurie]

MOTOROLA SAVING LIVES THROUGH ADVENTURE

“Aah she is dancing,” says Fai Chababe with a broad grin as he looks up at the twisting groaning mast lashed to the masthead with orange red coconut fibre rope. With both hands on the tiller Captain Simba squints into the sun as he guides ‘Amina – The Spirit of Adventure’ down another massive swell. Sailing up the East Coast of Africa in an Arab Dhow loaded with mosquito nets for mothers with babies and backed by a Land Rover support team the expedition is called African Rainbow, we pick up the story in Kingsley’s words ………….

“Our fight against malaria is turning out to be a challenging adventure but not without the occasional obstacle. Whilst camped in the bush up north towards the Rovuma river the Motorola Land Rover nicknamed ‘Stanley’ would run for three seconds and then stop dead - it must be the immobiliser we thought. We change batteries get hold of Land Rover South Africa on the Motorola HF Radio, they are incredibly supportive and even give us a secret code from the UK with which to bypass the system – Still nothing, we aren’t going anywhere from the middle of nowhere!
One would expect a rogue hippo to go for the inflatable Yamaha powered boats as we distribute nets to remote rural villages. One expects the fear of unexploded landmines and the hassle of bridges that were washed away in the last rainy season. In the Dhow we’ve learnt to handle the strong winds and rough seas when the Kusi trade wind blows wild. BUT who would expect the expedition to be brought to a complete standstill by a small fury long tailed rodent. The blighter had crawled in behind the Landy dashboard and having merrily eaten its way through a fistful of wiring had even made a little nest of the pieces. Hours turned into days as Ross worked his way through a labyrinth of chomped wires –“Okay turn the key” – Nothing! “Did you here that shouts Gill” as a rustling noise comes from the back of the Land Rover –“ the little ****’s got into the food box he has obviously come off the Dhow in one of your bags,” and then as Ross joins the last two pieces of rat eaten wire there’s a spark, the dash board lights come on and Halala!, there’s that comforting familiar roar of a TD5 Land Rover engine. Its dark, we squeeeeze the last few drops of Captain Morgan from the bottle and celebrate by throwing a ‘road runner’ chicken on the coals. Gill is over her malaria now and tomorrow the Landies will cross the Rovuma on the ferry built by the Catholic Fathers from Mtwara. It runs either side of the high tide and sometimes not at all. On the incoming tide, the ‘Spirit of Adventure’ will sail to the mouth of the Rovuma. Here in the far North of Mozambique’s wild Cabo Delgado province the infant mortality rate from malaria is sky high. Motorola thanks for all your support on the One Net – One Life campaign the African Rainbow Expedition continues to make a difference. We’ll keep you posted!!!

[Marc Lurie]

2 new pics.

1) Stuck in the mud in northern Mozambique

2) Crossing the Rovuma Rver between Mozambique and Tanzania on a home-made barge.

Regards,
Marc

[Marc Lurie]

UPDATE FROM THE EXPEDITION

Pictures

1) The dhow "Spirit of Adventure" off the coast near the Kenya / Somalia border

2) The two Land Rovers on a "good" road in N. Kenya

3) Kingsley's son, Ross, with the dashboard that had to be stripped after a rat climbed in and nibbled at the wiring.

The following paragraphs are taken from Kingsley's journal:

It’s good having Bruce Leslie, the young Natal boy, who survived a brutal stabbing whilst trying to save the theft of one of the Yamaha outboards back with us. Loaded with life saving mosquito nets he and Ross have just driven the mud splattered Land Rovers to the mainland village of Mokowe in the mangroved swamps of the Lamu Archipelago. They pay off the camouflaged armed askari, a necessary precaution against the shifta bandits from nearby Somalia, and use the rubber ducks to carry bales of mosquito nets out to the “Spirit of Adventure” Dhow anchored off the old Muslim Stone Town of Lamu. The Muezzins calls to prayer are endless, it’s the start of Ramadan the heat burns down in the narrow streets where the donkeys have right of way and the only vehicle allowed is the District Commissioners Land Rover. Tomorrow we leave for the Somali border.

Thursday October 13th

With the terrifying sound of tearing wood the Spirit of Adventure grinds to a halt. We’d hired a Bajuni Arab from Lamu to show us the way and now the idiot has run us aground. We climb overboard our massive dhow sitting on jagged rock, and when you think we’ve come all the way the coast to have this happen to us with less then a hundred km’s to go to our final destination – What a blow!!! Our captain, Mohammed the brave ties a long rope to a mangrove tree. We pack sand bags under the hull to keep her level. We check the damage – **** – There are big ragged chunks out of the keel nothing we can do. We buy some fish from a passing fisherman and Lumbayi cooks up a meal. And so we sit out the heat under the brown stitched tarpaulin. Music from our old sound box plays Kilimanjaro – The words quite apt “I’m sitting on the top of Kilimanjaro I can see a new tomorrow………………………” The Lamu Arab prays to Mecca from the island of coral rubble that has become our home. Will the next tide be high enough to float us off? It’s NOT!!



Friday October 14th

First light and the tide is pushing in. Wild shouting and confusion from the Swahili crew as at full throttle on the Yamahas we use the inflatable’s to pull us free. Pate Island on the right, direction Kiwayu, it soon becomes apparent that the Lamu Arab doesn’t really know the way and to make matters worse he’s already politicking with the crew telling them it is far to dangerous to continue North into Somalia – So why the hell did he take our money and agree to come along in the first place? I explain that our objective is to reach the Kenyan side of the border and not to go across but I can tell from the glum faces of the crew that the damage has already been done. We anchor off a white sandy beach near the village of Ndau. All night we hear whispers as the crew mumble to each other.

Saturday October 15th

“We’ll surely die,” says the Lamu Arab. The gap is far to dangerous to enter. Many dhows have gone down, there is a jaggered rock in the entrance and a massive man eating shark that cruises the channel big enough even to devour this boat planks and all. The crew listens to him wide eyed. He is referring to the dreaded Mlango wa Tano – The fifth door and the entrance from the sea to the village of Mkokoni. We stop and ask the rag tag crew of a fishing boat – Yes! It can be done they say, go to the south of the rock and hug the point. Good luck Safari Njema - and so we decide to give it a go. We head out into the deep blue and soon the ratchet screams as a large johadiri (Yellow fin Tuna) is brought on board. Musa has the knife out, in seconds the fish is skinned, cut into chunks and thrown into the pot for the evening Ramadan feast. It’s neap tide and not ideal as our creaking old 35 ton dhow with its 200sq meter lateen rigged sail surfs down the swell through the swirling white water of Mlango wa Tano. Ross races ahead in one of the ducks and motions us through. There is no time to be afraid and as I move in to assist Alli Gunja on the tiller we slip past the jagged rock with just a few meters to spare. Ross shouts in the wind “keep her straight” fearing she will broach sideways in the swell. The crew tightens the sail, with a sigh of relief we are into the calm and anchor off the village of Mkokoni where the chief is delighted to receive mosquito nets for moms with babies. That night Mohamed the brave delivers a bombshell. He will travel no further toward Somalia even if it means forfeiting his wages, swimming to shore and making his own way back to Mafia Island off the Tanzanian coast. They had met a man in the village who had told them that to go any further would be signing their death warrants – Yes said the Lamu Arab and his son, we to will go no further. I glanced at the rest of the Swahili crew they shook their heads – No, no further!
Sadly for the first time on this entire journey not only did we have a rift between us and our wonderful crew it seemed we had a bloody mutiny. With just 47 km’s to go our African Rainbow Expedition with its wonderful One Net One Life campaign has been hijacked by frightening stories of Somali piracy. We are devastated!

Sunday October 16th

We pay the Lamu Arab and his son off - of course they come up with all the hand to the breast Inshallah Safari Njema we are together bit. I am glad to see them walk up the beach, the flees of a thousand camels be on them. But we are damned if we will fail. With our hearts in our mouths we leave on the high tide. Mashozi, Bruce, Ross and a delightful Mkokoni man by the name of Obo traveling by inflatable boat loaded with fuel, emergency supplies, and mosquito nets we make a dash to the frontier town of Kiunga. Flat out between endless islands and mangrove channels the area is beautifully pristine. Obo knows every inch of this incredible coastline and the afternoons low tide finds us sun burnt and battered paddling over the reef into Kiunga just a few kilometers from the Somali border. We are met by unbelievable friendliness, few foreigners come this way. Senior Chief Jamal and District Officer Mutua endorse the Malaria Prevention scroll of Peace and Goodwill we are carrying up the East coast of Africa. I explain that our clear objective is Durban to the Somali border. Chickens are slaughtered at Mr Dick’s restaurant, which is really just an open fire under a tree. A driver and 2 armed askaris arrive in a battered Land Rover TDi. At break neck speed we race for the border. There is no customs or immigration here at Ishakani just a shot out village half destroyed by shifta bandits and an ancient coral pillar said to have been erected by early Portuguese mariners. Ross treats a man who’s been rifle butted by Somali’ whilst in the shade of a tamarind tree all the mums receive mosquito nets. Mashozi is presented with necklace strings of cowry shell beads. Malaria is bad here and they are extremely grateful. The bearded chief dressed in his white robes thanks us in Swahili and carefully writes a simple note in the scroll. Our African Rainbow Expedition from Durban to the Somali border has succeeded and thanks to all the support we have had for the 4x4 MegaWorld One Net One Life campaign we have been able to save lives.

Monday October 17th

Back on the Spirit of Adventure we break open a bottle of Captain Morgan, slaughter a goat and make peace with the crew. We will head for Lamu to re-caulk the planks and paint the hull with shark fat. With water barrels filled and the sail stitched we’ll wait for the Kas Kazi wind to arrive as supported by the4x4 MegaWorld Land Rover convoy loaded with mosquito nets the Malaria warriors will head south for THE RETURN OF THE RAINBOW

[El Stiemo]

Hi Marc,

thanks for that, keep us updated!

Cheers

[Spysmys]

Aye Aye Captain ..........

[ieacvank]

Interview with Kingsley on the dhow in northern Mozambique, talking over HF Radio to Jocelyne Rowe in Durban, South Africa.

— Malaria 6 to Malaria 1 … do you copy ... over?



“Receiving you … go ahead … over!” came a faint reply from a lone Arab dhow loaded with mosquito nets sailing on the south east monsoon. And so, amidst occasional static and break-up we’re able to bring you the latest on the African Rainbow Expedition in Kingsley Holgate’s words …



— How’s your “One Net - One Life” journey going?



“ … At times its tough and the Kusi trade wind blows up a storm. We threw coins into the deep to propitiate the spirits as we rounded “Ponta do Diabo” – Devils Point. Using the “Amina – The Spirit of Adventure” as the mother ship, we off-load nets onto the Yamaha-powered inflatable boats that take us through the mangroves to inaccessible rural villages where there are no health services. There is no doubt that we are saving lives and it’s a great adventure ...!”



— Tell me about your team King …?



“ … On the Dhow there is capable Captain Simba who unfortunately snores like a lion … Mahommed the brave has body which belongs on the cover of Men’s Health – it’s nothing for him to climb to the top of the 45 foot mast with a knife in his mouth to cut jammed rigging in a storm … Zacharia, the ship’s carpenter caulks the planks as we go … Fai Chababe, the interpreter, trades for fish and supplies … Sufo, Juma and Jojo Sulimane are master mariners. Swahili is the language of the Dhow and our days begin with “Salaams!” all round! Also, an old friend, Charles Gornal-Jones from Pemba with his French girlfriend Valerie de Rouge, have jumped on board to help - it’s a great combination. Its incredibly physical work - the wind is our only engine! Johnny Clegg plays from two, wooden, box speakers and everyone hauls on the ropes! I couldn’t survive without the crew! They are the expedition…!”



— What are you guys eating …?



“ … Fish and more bloody fish! Charles is a demon with prawns and giant, red mud crabs – we sit crossed-legged on the deck and eat with our fingers! Its fish with rice, fish with maize meal, fish with village bread and by way of change – calamari, crayfish and octopus! Fresh water is a problem and sometimes we’ll spend an entire day hauling containers by rubber duck from a village well. We finished the last of the Captain Morgan – it just doesn’t keep …!”




— And … any magic moments?



“ … Rolling out a bed roll, sleeping on deck under the stars, the creaking and groaning of the hand-built Dhow, schools of dolphins, the occasional whale, the freedom, wind blowing through the beard, sitting, legs dangling from the bowsprit as “Amina - The Spirit of Adventure” – her giant lateen rigged sail pregnant with the Kusi trade wind, ploughs through the swell, the appreciation of the mothers as they receive their mosquito nets and always, there’s the adventure, not knowing what the next day will bring! …”



— Any Hassles …?



“ … Well it seems as if sometimes one has to risk lives to save lives – We rolled one of the Landys but she’s back on her wheels and she’s fine – Three of the expedition members including myself have been down with malaria already – Tropical ulcers are the order of the day – There are days when the sailing is a bit scary and then of course, Bruce getting knifed trying to save an outboard engine, he’s recovering well and we’re missing him and of course, expecting to join us again soon…..! Apart from that, it’s a great adventure and entirely worthwhile …!”





-- Anything strange?



“Yes! One village was being terrorised by a human lion….. Yes!! A human that has been turned into a lion by a witch doctor and had become a hired killer. They say it is not uncommon here and that the most painful part is the growing of the tail. Recently one of these wizards was caught by the villagers and they drove a sharpened stick right through him. Witchcraft and superstition is rife here and an old man tells me that in this area, sometimes the big baboon that walks alone, rape women. Here people, they tell me, can also turn into elephant and hyenas….!”





-- Anything wonderful?



“|Yes, at the end of the day, it’s the incredible appreciation by the village people for what we are doing. They dance and sing and make up songs about fighting malaria….. it’s wonderful!”





— How’s the Land Rover party getting along …?



“ … Relying on GPS and HF Radio, we only see them every few days. They follow goat tracks and sometimes there are no bridges! Mashozi - that’s Gill my wife, is in charge, she drives the one Land Rover nick-named “Livingstone” while Dane Hewitt drives “Stanley”, the other Landy! Yesterday, we joined forces with Colin Fitzgerald’s team from 4x4 Mega World in South Africa in an exciting exercise. Using their massive inflatable pontoon we floated one of the Landys across the crocodile-infested, Munuwayo River! Over thirty years ago, during the Portuguese days, dug-outs were lashed together to do this crossing but since then, no vehicle has made it across! The villagers couldn’t believe their eyes! And as the wind increased, I had visions of having to explain to the sponsors why a Land Rover of mosquito nets had fallen into the drink! Fortunately we made it! The Land Rover party is doing a great job of the “One Net – One Life” campaign …!”



— And finally Kingsley; - are you getting enough support …?



“ … Here, the statistics are shocking, every minute of every day and night; a baby dies from the blood sucking bite of the deadly female Anopheles mosquito! Whilst our slogan is “One Net – One Life” it could also read: “One Net Saves Many Lives” - as very often, a mother with several children will share the net. This campaign would not be possible without the support from Motorola who clearly demonstrate their care for the people of this continent! We’re getting great exposure through the BBC, the Voice of America, the SABC - Into Africa Service and the South African media at large but at times I am overwhelmed by the magnitude of the problem! Getting to a village where not a single mother has a mosquito net and the lack of knowledge … all the death … and when you think that all it takes to save lives, is the educated use of a net! Tomorrow we head North for Mocimboa da Praia and then onto the Rovuma River – the boundary between Northern Mozambique and Southern Tanzania. The wind is in our sails – thanks Motorola for all your support … We couldn’t do it without you.…!”



Squelch, Squelch, over and out from the African Rainbow Team …… talk again next week.
Hi everybody.
I am a new member to this site and I have just come across this article. The name Charles Gornal-Jones is a name that belongs to a guy that I have been looking for for nearly 15 years. If anybody has his contact details, I would really appreciate getting them.
My name is Ian van Kraayenburg
My e-mail address is;Ian.vanKraayenburg@Standardbank.co.za

[Marc Lurie]

The African Rainbow Expedition is on it's way back from the Somali border. They are currently in Tanga, Tanzania.

I've received a few photographs, courtesy of Rob Till.

I hope to be joining Kingsley again when the expedition reaches Mozambique in a few months.

Marc

[Geobloke]

Super Pics Marc and cheers for the update. I love seeing people willing to help others who can't help themselves easily, keep up the good work! :)

[Marc Lurie]

I've just returned from a 2 week safari with the expedition. They are in Mozambique at the moemnt, and we joined them in Tete. From Tete we travelled a bit upstream on the Zambezi to Boroma Mission, a cathedral built by the Portuguese in 1885.

We proceeded downstream via Mutarara and the Donna Ana bridge to Chupanga, and finally to Mary Livingstone's grave.

The Zambezi is Africa's third longest river. It is just under 3000km from source to mouth, and has ONLY 4 bridges across it for its whole length. The bridge in Angola was destroyed during the war. The other three bridges are the Victoria Falls Bridge, The bridge at Tete, and the Donna Ana. The Donna Ana was (still is) the longest railway bridge in Africa at around 3.7km (2.5 miles) long. It is built on 45 pontoons, two of which were destroyed by the Rhodesian Air Force in the 70's, bringing the entire Mozambiquan railway system to a grinding halt. The bridge has been repaired, and made useable (I use the term "useable" with some reseration :rolleyes: ) by road vehicles.

Mary Livingstone was the long-suffering wife of the famous explorer, Dr. David Livingstone. She was probably the first European woman to die from malaria on the Zambezi. Kingsley's wife Gill feels a definite kinship with Mary Livingstone, and the visit to her grave was solemn and quite moving.

The expedition was joined for a few days by 6 South African motoring journalists and the CEO of Ford/Volvo/Landrover in South Africa. They flew into Tete expecting luxury accomodation and pampering, but were met by a scraggly convoy of Landies, and made to ride in the back of the most dilapidated one we could find that still moved. :D (see pictures) They bumped off in the back of the old girl, getting scrapes and bruises, and then finally were shown to their tents on the banks of the Zambezi.

They soon forgot about the hardships after a few dozen 2M's (More about 2M later) and a whole bunch of Captain Morgan and Coke. A kind of comeraderie developed, and the journo's had a great time.

The 1974 Forward Control that was supposed to carry all the supplies and mosquito nets broke down somewhere in the bush. At first we identified that the distributor cap was damaged, and we tried getting her going again using Melrose cheese wrappers, asprin foil, dental floss and silicon sealer, but it subsequently also looked like she broke a piston ring, and had to be towed into Tete. This made it even more uncomfortable for the journo's who now had to be cramped up in the Landies even more.

[Marc Lurie]

Let's test forum member's bush savvy... What animal spoor do you think is in the attached photograph?

We saw these tracks running past our tent one morning. :eek:

I'll give you a clue:
It's the fourth most dangerous animal in Africa after:

1) Mosquito (around 2 million deaths per annum)
2) Man (In a good year around 1/2 million deaths per annum. Much higher in bad years)
3) Hippo (Several thousand deaths per annum)

Cheers,
Marc

[El Stiemo]

Hi Marc,

thanks for the update!

That will be the spoor of a Nile crocodile. Nice.

Cheers Frank

[Marc Lurie]

That will be the spoor of a Nile crocodile. Nice.

He must have been lost then, because he was in the Zambezi, not the Nile :D

Yup, he was a smallish croc, with a front footprint about the size of a man's hand. There were about 15-20 of the ******s watching us all night when we camped on one of the islands near Ancuaze. Our translator, Bobo, got a bit tipsy that evening and he spent the whole night running into the shallows, splashing loudly and swearing at the crocs from time to time to scare them away. Strangely it worked, and Bobo survived. :D If they'd been adult crocs instead of juveniles I think the situation would have been different, and I think poor Bobo would be croc dung by now. :rolleyes:

You would have had a really lekker time if you'd been able to make it.

Cheers,
Marc

[El Stiemo]

You would have had a really lekker time if you'd been able to make it.

Cheers,
Marc

Thank you Marc, I sure needed reminding.:rolleyes:

Anyway, back from tour myself, going again next weekend, we will go up to Epupa Falls and try the road through the Baines Mountains into Hartmann Valley along the Kunene River, getting a lift for the 110 this week so that she will be up for it...

Welcome back

Cheers

Frank

[Alice]

This thread is incredible, there's nothing quite like first hand stories to bring a part of the world I know nothing much about to life..
Keep writing :)

[Marc Lurie]

This thread is incredible,

Thank you Alice :) . I was wondering how many forum members outside Africa were looking at the thread.

I'll certainly keep the link updated as things happen. The expedition will be returning to Zululand on 4th June, and they will have a Lanrdover convoy driving to the big party in the kraal at Shakaland for a good bash. I'll be there to take photos and video, and I'll certainly post a report.

I can't wait for their next expedition to start... :) I hope it will be in Africa again so that I can be part of it.

Marc

[toppa]

Been following aswell, amazing photo's, make me want to run out to the landy and head off :(


Keep us posted..


Cheers

[Marc Lurie]

going again next weekend, we will go up to Epupa Falls and try the road through the Baines Mountains into Hartmann Valley along the Kunene River,

I've never been up there, so you're really making me envious. I've heard so many good things about Epupa and I must get there sometime. Unfortunately a friend of mine has decided to get married in Grahamstown in December so that kinda screws my chances of getting to Namibia at the end of the year. We might use the opportunity to do the Wild Coast again though.

Marc

[Marc Lurie]

Been following aswell, amazing photo's, make me want to run out to the landy and head off

Thanks Toppa, you're welcome to join us any time! ;)

Marc

[Marc Lurie]

The African Rainbow Expedition has finally come to an end, just over a year after it began. The journey took in South Africa, Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, and Somalia.

They assisted in distributing over 290,000 mosquito nets.
They survived Somali pirates, a mutinee by the boat crew, Bruce was stabbed in the neck by a crewmember trying to steal an outboard motor, and along the way they also had time for adventure. :)

Brigid and joined the expedition for the final push from the Mozambique border to Shakaland in Zululand, South Africa. The Defenders are tired, and desperately in need of TLC, which they will get from Land Rover in Umhlanga Rocks on the Natal North Coast this week.

We were met outside Shakaland (http://www.shakaland.com) by swarms of singing, chanting, and yelping Zulus who escorted the convoy into the cattle kraal where a camp was set up for the night. There was a lot of dancing, great "Shisa Nyama" (hot meat in Zulu) and a LOT of drinking. That's why I had a terrible hangover in the morning.

On the way home, Brigid and I stopped off at Majuba, the site of a battle in which the Boers kicked British butt in the late 1800's. The British were somewhat surprised that the enemy would be so audacious as to actually hide behind rocks while shooting at them. :p How things have changed...

There's another sendoff for the expedition in Johannesburg this weekend, so I'll post a few more photos, as well as some excellent pics by Rob Till taken along the Zambezi.

Marc

[Marc Lurie]

OK, this is the end of this thread. I've got the final few photos from the Zambezi leg of the expedition.

I hope everyone enjoyed the photos and stories.

Here's to the next expedition :cheers:

Marc