Beach buggy expedition across Africa

* MERJA IILEKA at OSHAKATI TWO South African men have taken to the road in a beach buggy to draw attention to child abuse and rape.

Steve Heath and Terrick Wright will be driving from Cape Town to London via Africa and Europe, while obtaining as many signatures as possible from individuals along the way. The petition will eventually be handed over to the South African government.Project Bear, which is sponsored by Beares Furnishers, aims to raise awareness of the horrific increase in the number of child rape and sexual abuse cases in South Africa.”We can’t continue doing damage control all our lives, we have to stop it and get it out of our community.That’s what this project is about,” said Heath.30 COUNTRIES TO BE VISITED The expedition was set in motion nearly six months ago when Heath decided to resign from his job and invest his time and personal savings to help charity organisations in achieving their goal of stamping out child rape.Wright joined him in his quest a week ago.During the expedition, which will pass through 30 countries, Heath and Wright will be visiting hospitals, police stations and women’s and children’s centres.”We want to find out if those countries have the same problem as South Africa.If not, we want to learn from them and if they do, we want to find out what they are doing about it and if it’s working,” said Heath.Heath told The Namibian that a beach buggy was chosen because it had the potential to draw the public’s attention.”Another reason for the beach buggy is that we wanted to take the same route a raped child has to take, which is a difficult and long one.We wouldn’t be able to take such a journey in a comfortable 4×4 bakkie,” said Heath.The twosome has already visited Rundu, Katima Mulilo, Grootfontein, Tsumeb, Ondangwa and Oshakati.They will also be visiting Otjiwarongo, Okahandja, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and Windhoek this week.Heath, who will be celebrating his 51st birthday on Wednesday, said there was nothing he wanted more for his birthday than to meet Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.”For me, it would be the greatest gift to meet Brad and Angelina because of their strong stance against child abuse.I carry a book of goodwill with me, and I would really like for them to sign it,” said Heath.At the end of the expedition, planned for May next year, Heath will be making a short documentary film on the project, which will be shown on South African as well as British television.He will also be writing and publishing a book on the project.Anyone who wants to contribute to Operation Bear can call Steve Heath at 081 304 7973The petition will eventually be handed over to the South African government.Project Bear, which is sponsored by Beares Furnishers, aims to raise awareness of the horrific increase in the number of child rape and sexual abuse cases in South Africa.”We can’t continue doing damage control all our lives, we have to stop it and get it out of our community.That’s what this project is about,” said Heath.30 COUNTRIES TO BE VISITED The expedition was set in motion nearly six months ago when Heath decided to resign from his job and invest his time and personal savings to help charity organisations in achieving their goal of stamping out child rape.Wright joined him in his quest a week ago.During the expedition, which will pass through 30 countries, Heath and Wright will be visiting hospitals, police stations and women’s and children’s centres.”We want to find out if those countries have the same problem as South Africa.If not, we want to learn from them and if they do, we want to find out what they are doing about it and if it’s working,” said Heath.Heath told The Namibian that a beach buggy was chosen because it had the potential to draw the public’s attention.”Another reason for the beach buggy is that we wanted to take the same route a raped child has to take, which is a difficult and long one.We wouldn’t be able to take such a journey in a comfortable 4×4 bakkie,” said Heath.The twosome has already visited Rundu, Katima Mulilo, Grootfontein, Tsumeb, Ondangwa and Oshakati.They will also be visiting Otjiwarongo, Okahandja, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and Windhoek this week.Heath, who will be celebrating his 51st birthday on Wednesday, said there was nothing he wanted more for his birthday than to meet Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.”For me, it would be the greatest gift to meet Brad and Angelina because of their strong stance against child abuse.I carry a book of goodwill with me, and I would really like for them to sign it,” said Heath.At the end of the expedition, planned for May next year, Heath will be making a short documentary film on the project, which will be shown on South African as well as British television.He will also be writing and publishing a book on the project.Anyone who wants to contribute to Operation Bear can call Steve Heath at 081 304 7973