While most 28-year-olds are climbing a career ladder, Reynier van Zyl prefers climbing on his bicycle and living off the land.
We caught up with him on his “journey to find life free from money” during his stopover in Westbrook.
After having worked in his family’s carpentry business in Cape Town for five years, Van Zyl found himself stuck in a routine.
“My brain felt like a record player, playing the same song over and over. So I told my parents that I want to go live in the bush,” said the tall man with kind eyes and a gentle manner.
So live in the bush he did for four months last year, while working at a nursery to learn about medicinal and more importantly edible plants.
“I wanted to escape the rat race and be self sufficient, so I scavenged for plants and started learning about myself and nature.”
When he met a man about to embark on a cycling trip to Mozambique the idea gripped his imagination.
“I bought a bicycle, got my passport ready, packed my tablet, GoPro and solar panel and on January 21, I headed off on my own. I had no real route or plan except that I knew I wanted to go to Egypt.”
Around 2300km later, he arrived in Westbrook, were he stayed with Piet Spies, who he had met while in the Transkei.
“It has been pure luxury to stay with Piet and I really feel at home here, but it is time for me to continue.”
Although he does not miss the modern comforts such as a home and a bed, he does miss his family and keeps them up to date on his whereabouts with his blog 11themotion.com.
“I live everyday as if it is my last and thanks to this journey, I feel content with myself and my surroundings.”
“Life is not about money, it is about living simply,” which is why he does not accept money and has none. He only accepts food.
Van Zyl is now en route to Mozambique, Swaziland, Namibia and eventually Egypt, which he thinks he will reach in about two years.
The rustic rider pedals on through Africa on a route less traveled to live the life that feels right, without money and without boundaries.
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