Forty thousand kilometres, 27 countries and 20 months later, Jolandie Rust is poised to become the first woman in the world to travel around Africa, solo, on a motorcycle.
The adventurer and her BMW F800GS Dakar are on the final stretch of their journey and expected to reach the finish line, Cape Agulhas, on Sunday.
The Mercury first reported on the 29-year-old musician and former software tester from Joburg in 2011, on her first attempt at travelling around Africa – by peddling between 80km and 100km a day on her bicycle.
“I came to the conclusion that the bicycle was a very bad idea. I figure I would have thrown it into the ocean by the time I got to Congo,” Rust said, laughing.
“I made it up to northern Angola, and then I was attacked and my gear was stolen. The Angolan government jumped in when they heard about it, fetched me, and flew me home, and I started over,” Rust said in an interview during a stop in Durban at the weekend.
On each of her arms is an array of beads and bracelets – a memento from each country – including a silver bangle from Senegal which a Tuareg (nomad) made for her while she watched him work on it.
Tanzania and Ethiopia were among the most beautiful countries she travelled through.
“Tunisia was my number one favourite country on this trip. The people were just so kind, so helpful, so welcoming.”
Depending on road condition, the size of a country and the wait for a visa, Rust spent up to two months in one place.
“I’ve always been an explorer. I didn’t even realise it. But my brother told someone the other day that when we were kids we always cycled from the time the sun came up until it set, which is true. But he said that I was always up ahead, showing us where to go.”
She has switched to motorcycles, though, she says. “I have found my passion.”
Asked about the difficulties she encountered along the way, Rust said that aside from every muscle in her body aching, she had security concerns travelling in countries such as Libya.
“I’ve been very lucky. Either someone would just show up and offer me a place to stay or, if there was a bikers’ club in the city, I would get in contact with them. As people started to know about me, they’d just pass me on from one friend or relative to the next.”
Rust’s next mission is to be the first woman from Africa to take on the Dakar rally. -The Mercury