INTERNATIONAL NEWS - A former Mossel Bay resident is on a massive journey to raise awareness and funds for environmental conservation.
Mark Mitchell (60) started off from Cape Agulhas and he will finish his trek in Nordkapp in Norway.
He will deliver a specimen of Spekboom to the botanical gardens of Oslo in Norway and his aim is to attract funding for the planting of at least 7.2 billion trees, shrubs and plants.
Mark is currently in Ethiopia.
Where do you live? What is your link with Mossel Bay?
I live in Wolvengat, in the Overberg. I was born and raised in Pretoria. I moved to Mossel Bay with my family in 1998 and did business there until 2012. I bought Ruiterbos Farm Store, close to the Eight Bells Mountain Inn.
Why did you decide to journey from Cape Agulhas to Nordkapp?
Cape Agulhas is the southernmost tip of Africa and Nordkapp is the northernmost habited place in Europe.
It's a journey that has been done by other means, but not by foot, walking or trekking, so I decided to give it a go.
It is 18 000km, give or take, with many variables, which makes the route changeable, for reasons of politics, wars and so forth
How can people support you?
They can follow the links on my website, www.thegreattrek.co.za, and click the DONATE button.
I am an ambassador for South African Reforestation Trust and for Jobs4Carbon, both of which also have links on the TheGreatTrek website.
So those people or businesses who want to reduce their carbon footprints and do something about climate change can purchase trees via the links, to have them planted on their behalf.
When did your journey start?
On 11 August 2023. It's been almost one year now.
When will you arrive in Nordkapp?
I'm not sure. To quote the author, John Steinbeck: "A journey is a person in itself; no two are alike. And all plans, safeguards, policing and coercion are fruitless."
When I interviewed you this week, you were in Ethiopia.
Yes, I am planning to go to either Djibouti or Eritrea next.
How could you afford to do this trip, financially?
I financed myself with my savings, sold my possessions, and acquired patronage as my journey progressed.
I rely on donations from well wishers.
Are you married, with children?
I am in a relationship. I have three children from a previous marriage
When you're finished this feat, what is next?
Sit on the stoep? Highly unlikely. Maybe I'll travel back by hitchhiking or bicycle along the west coast of Africa.
How have you done the trip? Walking, cycling, by car?
I'm trekking with my TrekKart, which I designed and built myself.
Tell us some interesting things about your trek.
I'm on my fifth pair of takkies. Ethiopia is the seventh country I'm traversing. I walk an average of 30kms per walking day.
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