Heels & Horsepower Magazine

Ubuntu Adventure 2021, celebrating our heritage with Mitsubishi Motors South Africa

“I am who I am because we are”

The Ubuntu Adventure began as a road trip down memory lane. Conceptualized by founder, Vuyi Mpofu, as a way to reminisce about her childhood in the village, she set off on the first Ubuntu Adventure in 2018. True to the spirit of Ubuntu, the trip focused on the societal values which embody the meaning of the word: compassion, respect and solidarity.

Leaving behind her heels, nail tips, make-up kit and a vast array of wigs, Vuyi ventured towards the coast in the peak of the festive holiday period. It was a spontaneous adventure and she began her trek without booking accommodation, let alone knowing exactly where she would sleep.  The idea was to knock on doors in whichever community she found herself in at dusk and ask for a place to sleep; similar to how hers and countless other African families had done in the good old days when strangers were treated with hospitality, simply based on trust and humanity.

The loosely structured inaugural Ubuntu Adventure resulted in Vuyi arriving in the village of Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape at nightfall and being accommodated by the chieftain of the village.

To pay her way, Vuyi embarked on various household chores in return for her stay.  These included fetching water from the river, repairing a mud hut and fetching firewood; tasks innumerable Africans have and continue to do across the country.

Although well-received on social media and by its then corporate partners, Ubuntu Adventure did not take place again until now in 2021.

What is the event about?

Ubuntu Adventure aims to promote and celebrate South Africa’s diverse cultures, traditions and beliefs. We want to ignite a new appreciation for our beautiful country and all its people. Unlike its founding event of 2018, due to current COVID-19 restrictions, Ubuntu Adventure 2021 could not translate into an engagement at grassroots level.  Rather, it aimed to explore the scenic treasures within Kwa-Zulu Natal and focused on historical land sites which have shaped who we are as a nation.

Participants of Ubuntu Adventure 2021 were 6 motoring and lifestyle media professionals who collectively have an audience of over 10 million readers, viewers and listeners.  Driving vehicles from Mitsubishi Motors – the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross and Mitsubishi Xpander, both mid-size family-orientated vehicles, the journalists set off to explore the northern part of the province while testing how the Mitsubishi vehicles would fare over the 1 200km round trip.

The media, all family-orientated individuals, were on the lookout for aspects relating to space, fuel efficiency, comfort, safety and ease of driving along the journey.

Led by Vuyi Mpofu, the Adventure began in the culturally diverse Maboneng District in Gauteng, for an informal photo op, get-together and lunch.  Briefed and ready to roll, the real adventure began the following day.

Look out for highlights from Day 1 on our social media platforms.

The countdown to Honda Quest 2021 is on

And so it begins. The online call to entry for Honda Quest 2021 has officially closed.

Hundreds of entries from enthusiastic off-road motorcyclists, from all over the country were received during the call for entry to Honda Quest 2021. Entries were of a very high standard, making the work of the panel of selectors from Specialised Adventures an extremely tough task. The panel had been tasked with the unenviable job of narrowing down the entries to just 30 adventurous semi-finalists.

The selection of semi-finalists was chosen based on various selection criteria which included the riders’ skills and conditioning levels. In addition, applicants were requested to submit a motivation stating why they should be chosen as a participant in Quest 2021 as well as rate themselves on the following benchmarks:

  • Technical riding
  • Endurance riding
  • Sand riding
  • Fitness level

Quest is by far one of the most demanding off-road riding events in South Africa and anyone who is not well skilled nor in superb physical condition will not be able to withstand the harsh conditions of the adventure.

What happens next?

The whittling process is from 12-14 October 2021 and the 30 semi-finalists who are willing to put aside their worlds for a brief period of time to attend the Honda Quest Boot Camp, will converge at this year’s testing ground near the picturesque Cederberg Mountains. Over the 3 days, the riders will be put through some rigorous trials and intricate tasks.

Scrutinized by the Specialised Adventures Crew, the riders will be evaluated on their ability to handle an adventure bike safely in varying and trying terrain as well as on their individual attitudes and character. The selectors will be on the lookout for the essence of true adventurers; those who share a genuine love for exploring the great wilderness trails far off the beaten tracks.

Only 14 finalists will be selected but riders will learn their fate on 18 October 2021, just weeks before the Honda Quest True Adventure Finals takes place from 1 – 10 November 2021.

The winner of Quest 2021 not only claims bragging rights, but will also swing a leg astride their ‘trophy’, in the form of the legendary Honda CRF 1100 Africa Twin.

Source: Honda Motorcycles South Africa