BULAWAYO – United Kingdom-based Zimbabwean adventurer Nkosilathi Mathe has reached South Africa after driving 24,000km from England, leaving him with the final stretch of his epic journey home to Bulawayo.

The 49-year-old social worker and truck driver set off from Birmingham in a UK-registered 2017 Nissan X-Trail and has battled border bureaucracy, demands for bribes, breakdowns and treacherous roads on his journey across Europe and Africa.

He now has about 3,000km left to complete the trip to raise money for charity.

Speaking to ZimLive from Johannesburg, where he was welcomed by members of the Zimbabwean community, Mathe said the difficulties had never made him consider abandoning the trip.

“At no point have I considered abandoning the journey,” he said. “I have been frustrated on occasions, but not to the point of contemplating abandoning the journey.”

One of his most difficult encounters came at the Rosso border crossing between Mauritania and Senegal, where he was detained for about four hours after being caught filming on a public road.

Mathe said border guards searched his cameras and deleted footage showing officials allegedly demanding money from him.

In Senegal, he said, he was repeatedly stopped by police and asked for unofficial payments.

“I was constantly harassed for bribes by police in Senegal, which resulted in a tense standoff in which an officer tried to grab my camera,” he said.

He was also issued what he described as a “ridiculous ticket” for carrying his own luggage and bedding instead of passengers.

The problems continued at the Ivory Coast-Liberia border, where Mathe said officials refused to allow him into Liberia despite visa-on-arrival regulations because he would not pay a bribe.

He was forced to make a 700km, 12-hour round trip to Monrovia to obtain the required paperwork.

The journey also tested his vehicle.

On the Angola-Zambia route, Mathe became stuck in deep sand in a remote area before the X-Trail’s starter motor failed.

He walked for about 45 minutes to a nearby worksite to find help and arrange a tow.

Unable to repair the starter immediately, he resorted to push-starting the vehicle while crossing a series of wooden bridges into Zambia.

Earlier, a mud trap in West Africa dislodged the vehicle’s front bumper, which he secured with makeshift straps.

His sunroof was also shattered in Ghana by welding sparks while he was repairing the roof rack. Replacing it cost him £500.

The unexpected repairs and accommodation costs have pushed the expedition’s bill to about £15,000 – the top end of his original budget.

Mathe said the journey could have been cheaper had he slept in the vehicle more often instead of using hotels.

The journey has also given Mathe a firsthand view of the difficulties faced by travelers and transporters moving across Africa.

He contrasted the relative ease of traveling through Europe with what he encountered on the continent.

“I crossed nine European countries in three days and only presented my passport when leaving the UK and entering France. There was not a single roadblock or police checkpoint,” he said.

“In Africa, I have encountered hundreds of police checkpoints.

“For another African citizen to be required to pay up to US$200 for a visa just to explore our own continent is unacceptable.”

He said poor roads, border delays, and visa restrictions were also making trade more expensive.

“Lack of decent roads means ease of trade is hampered, and you see trucks delayed at borders for days. It adds costs to consumers and hinders economic growth,” he said.

Mathe launched the journey as a fundraiser for SOS Children’s Villages, although donations currently stand at £50 on a Facebook page he created.

He remains hopeful that support will increase as he approaches the end of the journey.

After reaching Johannesburg, Mathe said the reality of finally returning home was beginning to sink in.

“I am so happy to have reached South Africa and have had a great welcome from the Zimbabwean community in Johannesburg,” he said.

“I could tell the relief from my mother when she called and found out I was in Johannesburg. I feel excited that I am nearly home and grateful for all the prayers that have ensured I arrive safely.”

Mathe will make his final push through Botswana before crossing into Zimbabwe at the Plumtree Border Post to complete the momentous home-coming drive into Bulawayo.

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