KNYSNA NEWS - What woman decides at 60 that a 20 000km drive home from Europe through West Africa, on her own, would be a good idea, especially when her vehicle is a 1998 Ford Transit two-wheel drive?!
That woman would be Dot Bekker with her van BlueBelle.
In November 2018, just days before her 60th birthday, she set off by ferry from Barcelona to Morocco and started her drive home to Zimbabwe.
Her journey took her through 17 African countries, mostly along the West African coast, and took eight-and-a-half months.
The timing for her return could not have been better as not long after she would have been prevented from further travels due to Covid-19.
However, she took the time to write a book about her many adventures and this was launched last year, but once again restrictions prevented her from doing a book tour at the time.
However, not to be put off, she and her trusty van BlueBelle will be travelling around South Africa meeting, speaking, doing book readings and signings and selling her book.
She has a jam-packed agenda with book shops, restaurants, markets, a 4x4 club and others all looking forward to her visit.
Having previously lived in Cape Town for some 16 years she is looking forward to seeing sights as well as friends, old and new.
She will be stopping over in Knysna for an event on Tuesday 19 April between 10:00 and 14:00 at the Art Cafe on Queen where members of the public will have the chance to meet her.
Spaces are limited, so reservation is key. To reserve your seat, contact Helena on 082 657 4122.
The book, Going Home to Africa, describes Bekker's extraordinary 20 000km adventure with the ups and downs she faced during her grand expedition: the countries, the people, insane traffic, corrupt borders, marriage proposals, perilous potholes and good old African roadside assistance.
The fascinating journal also highlights the varied landscapes and cultural history of Africa that she discovered along the way, the strange, funny and sometimes terrifying situations that she encountered, and the numerous challenges that
she and BlueBelle endured all the while navigating her own personal internal journey.
Dot and BlueBelle will be starting their tour in Cape Town on 6 May and head up the east coast to Johannesburg, returning home by mid May. Proceeds of her book sales go to the education of girls - Kusasa.
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