Flying in thousands of rands
Two men, who flew over parts of southern Africa in an open cockpit micro-light in May, in aid of charity, have raised at least R200 000 for the Reach for a Dream Foundation.
The City Times reported on the daring feat of Louis Cole (60) and Paul van Schalkwyk (69), a Benoni businessman, on May 7.
The men set off on May 10 and returned on June 28.
They initially planned on flying 5 000km from Lanseria, through Namibia and, subject to clearances, to Zambia, Zimbabwe and back via Botswana, in their micro-light aircraft.
The pair were, however, forced to restrict their flights to Namibia, as strong winds and their inability to get flight clearances into the other countries hampered chances of completing the planned trip.
‘‘We had one particularly scary leg over the Great Karas Mountains, where we were caught in severe turbulence and really thought that we were not going to make it out safely, but we were able to land at Hammerstein,’’ said Cole.
‘‘The magneto of Paul’s aircraft packed up in Outjo and was repaired by an auto-electrician who had never worked on an aircraft before.
‘‘My trike’s carburettor was also replaced and repaired by a farm mechanic.’’
The due also landed on a landing strip in Narubis, last used in the border war.
They were told by the only inhabitant of the town that the town closed down in 1984, after the hotel closed for business.
‘‘It was especially rewarding that we were able to raise enough funds to realise the dreams of at least 40 children with life-threatening illnesses, but also, on a personal level, that we were able to finish the journey safely and be able to realise our own dreams,’’ said Cole.
