Spreading ubuntu spirit
By Giselle Horner	Published:April 08, 2008
TWO Port Elizabeth doctors and their families are living their dream of representing Nelson Mandela Bay by travelling and spreading the spirit of “ubuntu” around the world. The Globeriders Cape2Cape team left in March last year and have travelled through 22 countries so far. They set out to cover five continents, 74 countries, and 130000km by 2010. “The Globeriders are in Ireland now,” said Waldo Adams, a team member who returned to South Africa when they were in Nairobi , Kenya . Two other team members, Edward and Deidre Davids , left the expedition in Dublin and returned to Auckland , New Zealand . Adams left so that he could work on sponsorship. “It is difficult to further our cause when all of us are travelling at the same time,” he said. Four adults and four children between the ages of three and 11 are left on the journey. “These departures were realities that we knew we might need to face, pending financial and logistical support,” said the team about the members who could not continue. In view of the 2010 Soccer World Cup being hosted in South Africa , the team is carrying a soccer ball on behalf of a soccer club in Nelson Mandela Bay . The ball has been signed by each of the soccer federations in the countries they have visited so far. Their most prized signature is that of four-time and current world champions, Italy . The countries they have visited so far include Namibia , Zambia , Malawi , Kenya , Uganda , Tanzania , Ethiopia , Egypt , Libya , Italy , France and Ireland . “Reflecting on the raids by the Vikings and Anglo-Normans, we are happy to be in Ireland ,” said team member Dr Gary Allie. The team members expressed their gratitude to all those who had welcomed them with open arms and warm hearts. One of the main aims of Globeriders Cape2Cape is spreading the philosophy of ‘ubuntu‘ and a sense of interconnectedness globally. But they are also raising funds for the Happy Home for Children with Disabilities. Adams said his most interesting experiences included seeing the San and the pigmies, the origin of the Nile, experiencing the “magic” of Zanzibar and witnessing the poverty in Malawi . “I never knew the Nile started as a source in a lake in Uganda ,” he said. “ And some of Mahatma Ghandi‘s ashes were scattered there. “In Malawi, we found that people worked hard but respected each other‘s property. They smiled and laughed, even though they were poor. Speaking on behalf of the rest of the team, he said: “The experience in Africa is quite different from that in Europe . Europe is a First World continent. The people there have everything, while people in Africa don‘t really have much, but they appear happier.” According to the group, there are no words that could fully describe their experiences over the past year, but “sensational” comes very close. “It is great to come from Nelson Mandela Bay and promote our amazing country to all we meet. We are amazed and proud that everyone we‘ve passed en route knew and praised our Madiba,” they said. The Globeriders Cape2Cape team will move to Belgium on April 25. To see pictures of their journey or bank details of their charity, go to www.cape2cape.co.za.