Trans Enduro ready to go

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The South African National Defence Force's military academy in Saldanha Bay, which houses Stellenbosch University's Faculty of Military Science, is all set to once again embark on its annual Exercise Trans Enduro – an expedition on land and sea from Gqeberha to Saldanha.

Students of the military academy have been planning, funding and taking part in the Trans Enduro for more than 30 years.

The race is held to raise funds for the military academy's Masiza community outreach programme, while the students are also involved in social impact projects along the way such as cleaning streets and neighbourhoods, painting school buildings and visiting retirement homes.

This year, the Masiza programme focuses on senior citizens and early childhood development.

"The entire exercise is planned and executed by the academy students. This develops their leadership skills and enhances their understanding of the practical issues related to community service. In return, communities get exposed to the high calibre of the young men and women serving in defence of the country," says Lieutenant Colonel Morné Booÿjens, chief military instructor at the Military Academy, who serves as mentor to participants.

Nine teams, including land, running, log, signal, media, cycling and sea teams, travel from the Eastern Cape to Saldanha over 10 days, staying over in towns along the way.

While the cycling team covers a certain distance on bicycles (100km), the sea team travels along the coast in two rubber dinghies, and the land team drives with vehicles from town to town collecting money, while the log team prepares for the other teams' arrival.

There is also a running team that covers 10km each day. At certain points the teams change.

Also, it is tradition that the mayor of each town writes a short letter of goodwill to the mayor of the next town. The letter is handed to the exercise commander who delivers it to the mayor of the next town. Each morning will see a short opening ceremony as organised in conjunction with the various mayoral committees of municipalities along the way.

The Trans Enduro will have an opening ceremony at Central Beach, Plettenberg Bay, at 07:30 on Monday 28 November.

The race includes a cycling leg too.