“Forward a year to June 2011 to the launch of the inaugural Put Foot Rally; a group of 23 Crews and 90 incredible individuals who placed their faith in Mountainshak Adventures (a brand-new, but blerrie ambitious company), their passions lit by the fires of lust for adventure, they headed into Africa on an epic journey, no idea where they were going, on an event none had ever tried before!”
The allure of an African adventure
This year’s 2012 Put Foot Rally places sold out in an incredible 28 minutes, and the decision was made to open up another 30 places … which sold out again in 24 hours! It’s just a tiny indication of how badly people want to see Africa, and of course, the allure of a wild ride with likeminded travel-mad (and probably just a little mad) adventurers … who can say no to that?!
“What is “fo sho”… is that people want to travel Africa, only too happy to grab the nearest friend, jump into a ridiculously painted vehicle and head out onto the road with no idea where they’re going … all in the name of doing good and seeking out the adventure of a lifetime! This is exactly why this event was put together!
They say the proof is in the pudding, it was incredible that post-2011 Put Foot Rally we heard of at least 2 people quitting their jobs, then we found that 13 of the 25 Crews will be returning for 2012 … and let’s not forget the R300,000 that was raised for the Bobs For Good Foundation and the 400 young lives changed in Namibia and Livingstone with brand new pair of school shoes that Put Footers gifted. Truly humbling and at the same time flippin exciting that we get to do it all again soon!”
Africa’s more accessible than people think
The cherry on the top was that PFR Ambassadors Mike Sharman and Dan Nash were nominated as finalists for the Bookmark Awards 2011 for their PFR ShoesOnFeet blog, proving that it’s possible to blog and post updates to Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and whatever social network takes your fancy from anywhere in Southern Africa – Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique and Swaziland. And all without racking up a massive roaming bill, which I can definitely get on board with! (I once managed to rack up a good R3,000 worth of Italy to South Africa mystery roaming charges.)
The Put Foot Rally hit the mainstream for 2 months before and after the event, getting the whole country talking about it. The point is – Africa’s more accessible than people think.
“It’s damn easy to communicate in Africa, that there is signal and internet everywhere, that Africa’s people are friendly, that it’s inexpensive, safe and you don’t need a 4×4 BUT ABOVE ALL … they sent the Put Foot Rally message out loud and clear! That we as South Africans, regardless of race, colour, religion, Man United supporter or not … that we should all be visiting our neighbours and experiencing our continent to-the-max … and thus earn a right to call ourselves Africans! And while doing it, have ourselves the adventure of a lifetime!”
Hell to the yes! We’re counting down the days, if not the hours, until our very own adventure of a lifetime! If you'd like to get involved and support our crew, please check out our Wishlist and Sponsorship page, or make an online donation.
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