Three fine and very special young men recently visited Hout Bay and three days later achieved a "first" for South Africa. Hikers Derek Brown, Raymond Ngubane and Rob Dyer were on the second leg of an epic walk starting on the Mozambique border, down the East Coast to Cape Point and then after a flight from CT to Alexander Bay - down the West Coast arriving back at the Cape of Good Hope on Tuesday 5th June - World Environment day, a total distance of more than 3200km.
The hikers were generously given accommodation in Llandudno by local resident Mike Hime and were treated to two nights of wonderful hospitality by the Hout Bay Manor, whilst here in Hout Bay. Dave Cowley, who co-ordinated their local stay said that he was delighted with the response from the community, many of whom readily made offers of accommodation.but was also very glad that many were able to attend a delightful slide show of their trip, given by the intrepid travellers. Derek Brown explained that they had managed to do some basic research and monitoring en route and said that they would be locking themselves away to compile a full report. The walk was sponsored by Mazda who have a strong environmental commitment and the Wildlife and Environment Society (WESSA) who this year celebrate their 75th anniversary. On June 6th many of Cape Town's environmentalists and supporters attended a special congratulatory evening for the hikers at the V&A Aquarium attended by Minister Valli Moosa who delivered an excellent message of congratulation to the young "explorers".
D.C.
Our visitors had a good send off when some of our members braved the inclement weather to walk up Chapmans Peak to bid them farewell. From Left to right:- Ian Campbell,Mike Hime, Rob Dyer, Derek Brown, Rene Campbell, Adam Cowley, Sue Tranter, Dave Cowley, Quinten, Barbra Cowley, Raymond Ngubane, Christine Hardiman.