A sticker bonanZA!
As you probably know, we included a magnetic ZA sticker in copies of our on-shelf July issue. Many readers sent photos of their vehicles with the sticker – congratulations to Jan Kruger, winner of a Drive & Camp camera bag worth R650, for his photo.
For his daily bread, Jan Kruger of Pearly Beach has to be within four walls, but his first love is nature.
“We have several sandy tracks among the dunes here in Pearly Beach. This pic was taken a day after a big storm here in the Cape in July. I just waited for the wind to calm down before I went to the beach. It was a crisp, fresh morning.
As you can see, I didn’t take my fishing rods with me that day. I would usually walk down to the beach, from where I cast my line.
In a way, this was a mini getaway for me, because the two trips we had planned to
Namibia this year fell through because of COVID-19. We usually visit Namibia every May.
And that’s exactly where the ZA sticker will come into play. Ironically, this bakkie of mine has not yet crossed our border, because with only 3 000 km on the clock, it’s still brand new. The license plate, ‘Nommer 7’, refers to the number of Toyota Land Cruisers I’ve owned. But it also has another reference: back in the day, the Afrikaans-dubbed TV series Jopie Adam (originally Grizzly Adams) featured a donkey called Number 7. This Cruiser has a straight-six engine without a turbo. It’s therefore highly reliable, but not the fastest – just like that donkey!”
Even though he’s had to change his reservation in the Kgalagadi a second time, John Whitlow from Constantiakloof in Roodepoort won’t give up.
“The changes in the booking are a result, of course, of the national lockdown, but that doesn’t mean I’ve stopped booking. The Kgalagadi is my favourite destination, but in the meantime I’ve also booked a spot in Hazyview for later this month – I hope that doesn’t get cancelled as well. From there, we’ll be close to the Kruger National Park, a place where I can easily sit next to a waterhole all day long and watch the animals.
My Mazda, a 2004 model B2500 D, has done 374 000 km – I’ve been all over South Africa with it, as well as Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
I’m crossing my fingers that this lockdown will end as I’ve also got a booking for Satara and Crocodile Bridge in the Kruger for March next year.”
This Jeep Wrangler, belonging to Guy Sheehan from Salt Rock in KwaZuluNatal, got its first sticker.
“I happened to be sitting in the Jeep while reading Drive & Camp when I saw you asking for pics of vehicles and ZA stickers.
I must admit: this July issue was the first of your magazines I’ve bought. I read it from cover to cover and enjoyed it immensely. It now has a spot on my desk.
When I get the chance, we like to shoot through to the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Reserve. We usually stay in one of the fulltime tents or a chalet. The Jeep is a 2011 model 3.8 JK Unlimited.”
Whether on four wheels or two, Lindsay Weir of Hillcrest happily swaps the KZN hills for the plains of the Karoo.
“Here’s a pic of that cool ZA magnetic sticker on the back of my Suzuki Jimny. It is a 2005 model, but I’ve owned it for just under a year. It’s a lovely vehicle. I’ve been to the top of the Sani Pass with the Jimny – it’s about 2,5 hours drive from our home. Namibia and Botswana are still future destinations for the Jimny.
My other big love is adventure motorcycling. I have a Honda Varadero – it is a dual-purpose bike that also works well for touring. When we get the chance, my wife Lynda and I hit the road with the motorbike and a tent. We love farm campsites... and the ones in the Karoo are at the top of my list.”
Depending on where they go, Alain Beltran from Hillcrest near Durban has a choice between two vehicles: a Toyota Fortuner to tow his Jurgens Xcape, or his equipped Nissan Sani for the sandy roads in Africa.
“Thank you so much for the ZA sticker and your excellent magazine – we loyally read it every month.
There was still a gap for the sticker on our 1995 Nissan Sani V6 3.0. He’s got close to 300 000 km on the clock and has taken us everywhere around the country and Botswana. Our last long trip was from Durban to Chobe, and also included Victoria Falls and Moremi. We have, of course, also visited the three so-called SKL camps in Botswana: Savuti, Khwai and Linyanti.
Who could have foreseen this lockdown during which we can pretty much camp only in our front yard? It’s scary, but you have to stay positive. Meanwhile, we dream of nature, endless roads, campfires, the roar of lions and the call of a hyena.”
They now have a ‘forever’ ZA sticker, say Ansie and Lucas Fuchs from Riversdal.
“It was definitely worth paying the extra R15 for the ZA sticker included in the July issue.
It has found its spot already on our 2018 Ford Ranger 2.2.
I was particularly impressed with its quality.
The sticker doesn’t scratch the vehicle when you take it off and the edges also don’t curl up like so many others.”
He’s named his bakkie Optimus, because it’s just as unstoppable as the Transformers character, says Jaco Coetzee from Rustenburg.
“Although I haven’t yet visited our neighbouring countries in my 2000 Mitsubishi Colt Rodeo 2800 TD, the ZA sticker has found its place.
I enjoy Bushveld holidays that also have 4x4 routes – that makes us very happy.
Optimus is now 20 years old and has been mine for 11 of those years. I won’t easily exchange it for another vehicle – the new ones have too much electronic gimmickry in my view.
My dream is to tour Namibia with Optimus.
Thank you for a magazine that’s such a great read. I enjoy all the places you visit as well as the articles on equipment and accessories to purchase when heading to the veld.