By Foibe Paavo
Swakopmund, Aug. 1 — After years of planning an adventure, a 33-year-old Englishman, best known as Adventure Mark finally kicked off his journey in Cape Town, riding through Namibia, to Angola on his bike.
With hopes of catching the beauty of golden sunsets on the road Mark rides his two-wheel machine through eight African countries – South Africa, Lesotho, Mozambique, Eswatini, Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia!
“I just decided that this is what I wanted to do and I’m doing it. I had the first idea of motorcycling around especially Africa when I was about 18/19 but it has taken me about fifteen years to get to it,” he said.
Namibia Daily News met Mark as he explored the streets of DRC, Swakopmund, enjoying children’s company and making their day brighter with little gifts.
Right through the interview, Mark said that he is more interested in spending time in schools, hospitals, and NGOs documenting what he is doing and what he sees there.
“What I really want to do is, when I eventually go back home, I’m going to share the stories of the people that I’ve seen here and talk about the work they’re doing…just good people doing good deeds. Getting things done in their communities and unrecognized people that are doing good deeds,” he said.
“I believe good people, doing good humble honest work could benefit from any type of profile on me than a business would. I’m interested in people and I believe you’re only as good as the environment you’re in since I have a strong belief in community. So for me engaging and connecting with local organizations – isn’t about me, it’s about the people I’m meeting along the way,” he said.
Mark added that he hopes to elevate these people … through the privilege that he has, taking some time off work and using his savings to do charitable work everywhere he travels, in hopes that it would be beneficial to the needy, which is his biggest dream come true.
“I hope to learn about the world, different people of the world, different ways of living, different ways that we approach some of the biggest issues we have in both countries; homelessness, inflation, Hospital management, roads infrastructure etc.
Although there are lonely days on the bike, Mark says there’s unique independence that comes with travelling alone.
“Waking up in the morning and having my day being mine. I can go wherever I want to go, I can create my own relationships and networks with people and pursue them as I want to.”
He added that this way of living is so unique, and there are so many parts of the world he sees through completely new lenses.
“I like taking photos of my journey to send people back home … although it’s not about the photo, a photo is a memory for me, but the whole story behind it and how it feels being on a motorcycle and then having an elephant walk right into the road. These things you can’t explain what they are because photos don’t do them justice,” he expressed.
Mark said he appreciates the people of Namibia more, as they’ve welcomed him amazingly. From Windhoek up until the DRC in Swakopmund …hopefully to the Kavango regions where he’s headed.
“People here invited me into their homes and fed me their food. It’s just really welcoming. So diverse people with fewer boundaries. You can literally talk to anyone.
“I enjoy the conversations I have, whether I am at the petrol station with the petrol attendant or pulled over at the side of the road … just having some water and then someone stops to chat.
“I just love the openness of the Namibian people and the beautiful landscape. But my favourite thing is to go into a tavern at night or if I’m on a campsite and hear some noise.
“I will be back in Namibia,” he concluded.
