Book Reviews

This is the story of an amazingly courageous woman who traveled from Europe to Zimbabwe on her own, and what a story it is!This book reall...
Alice
Dot Bekker…my favourite person. I feel like I know but I don’t. I’ve read your book describing your amazing journey about going home to Zimbabwe...
Adele
What an amazing read,what a brave woman!!!I just cant put the book down, shes such a good writer ❤️ (Facebook)
Thoko
This book was an answered prayer, a daily entertainment and a true inspiration. I feel like I know Dot personally after reading this book....
Michelle
I found “Going Home to Africa” a gripping, authentic, informative and humorous book! Gripping…in the countless unpredictable travel/r...
Gerald
From the first chapter I was hooked and followed Dot's adventures down the coast of West Africa with awe. I bought the book because I too am con...
Jordan
Dot took me on the journey of a lifetime. I witnessed the challenges, frustrations, joys and overwhelming beauty of Africa from the comfort of m...
Wendy
I had the pleasure of meeting Dot when she was living in Solsona and have followed her adventures on Going Home to Africa on IG. I have been so ...
Ruth
This is a brilliant story of a lovely lady driving solo from Northern Africa through many countries to go home to Zimbabwe. This touches my hear...
Dallas
Going home to Africa is an honest, humble and uplifting account of an incredible adventure and Dot’s fighting spirit and firm belief in the univ...
Fiona
Absolutely Compelling I could not put this book down and I am not an avid reader, getting bored quickly. I loved every moment of her jou...
Antoinette
FANTASTIC BOOK! I LOVED every page of this book and didn't want it to end. I have read many travelogues and this was by far my favourite...
Kevin
My first impression was just: Wow! Hats off! What an impressive book... I can already now say that it is, along with Doris Kearns Goodwin's Pulitze...
Susanne
Dot is one of the most amazing "road" friends we made while overlanding through Africa, and whatever we were doing she brought a tremendous sense o...
Laurie
I absolutely love travelling so this story really spoke to me. Having followed Dot in real time on her epic journey, I’m now absolutely loving the ...
Catherine
I think the fact that you share ALL of your experiences, good and bad, and do NOT leave out the huge challenges and obstacles you had to face on a ...
Susanne
I’ve just been spending the whole evening with your book. I feel so fascinated by your story and I love the way you’re describing both breathtaking...
Alexandra
Absolutely loved it. Very inspiring and Dot I would love to meet you one day when I visit Zimbabwe again. Thank you for sharing this amazing story....
Justyna
I have just finished reading Going Home to Africa and I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed it more as the journey went on... Her experiences become more ...
Nicola

Going Home to Africa

One Woman's quest to return home, driving from Europe to Zimbabwe.

The idea

The idea

I'm regularly asked how I came up with the idea to drive home.  After all I've lived outside my country of birth for 35 years and have not returned for the past 25 years, why would I conceivably want to return now?

Like the best ideas, it came about as a convergence of times, experience and circumstance.  So there isn't a clear one line answer to this, but I'll try to not only put my thoughts into writing but also to share them with you.

Firstly, although I've been outside my country (for those who don't know, it is Zimbabwe) for such a long time that doesn't mean that my heart hasn't always been there.  A little known fact is also that many people who were not living in the country when they cancelled all the old passports were denied their birthright, nationality and citizenship and that meant no new Zimbabwe passport.  Tens of thousands of people were affected and I was one of them.  I eventually managed to secure another nationality but that doesn't mean that I've not always been mad at the idea that I was denied this and am therefore only eligible to return home to the country of my birth as a visitor. 

Yet as I write there is a movement for change, after 36 years of negligent rule of the country the people are poorer than they every were, with 95% unemployment, beatings and intimidation for no good reason and yet they are determined to see this corrupt man out of government, peacefully!  I belong to many groups and consistently see the number of people my age and younger who have over the years left the country and made lives elsewhere, when asked if they would return the resounding response is 'would love to return but I have a different life now'.  Yet the skills and expertise we have gained outside the country are surely sorely needed now.  So I'd like to help, make a difference, be part of the solution.

Secondly, ask anyone who knows me, I'm a woman of strong convictions about the role of women in the world and have spent a significant amount of my life supporting women's issues and equality.  I also think that we teach what we need to learn.  When I recently hosted an event called Awesome Woman I made the statement that as women we owe it to ourselves, other women and future generations to walk in our power.  Although we are approximately 50% (+/-) of the world's population we are not represented as being so either in the legal systems, working environments, politics, etc.  I work with many women entrepreneurs and find regularly that they have a sense of their own power but have not 'walked in their power'.  What do I mean by that?  I mean owning power, not apologising for what we believe in, stand for something instead of being afraid to offend someone, to be authentic and at choice.  I would add to anyone who just gasped at that statement that Power does not equal Force ... force is not usually a woman's way but power is ours and we should take it and use it.  As such I decided to walk fully in my power, be at choice and make some changes in my life.

Lastly, I am a doer, a giver and I need to feel free and make a difference.  Having lost a lot in Europe, through good decisions and bad, I know myself well enough to know that I need a space to call my own and I need a few of my memories and 'things' around me.  Having motorhomed through a part of Europe some years ago I knew that I loved it and while I would prefer a smaller vehicle doing it on my own it was a great way to be at home and on the move all at the same time.  Thus the idea of a camper van came to me and I suddenly had the notion that I could take my home and myself and hit the road and see what happened.  I could drive as far as my small reserves of money would let me.  I have a business that I can run from anywhere thanks to the internet, I can be fitter and healthier with a different, more active, lifestyle and I don't have to be afraid because I am a woman or because I am going into Africa.  Africa is home to me and I want to go home.

People who know me know that I'm passionate about the heart, warmth and splendour of Africa and I hope I'll be able to not only experience more of it but that I can share that with you.

7
The Response to the Idea

Related Posts

 

Comments

No comments made yet. Be the first to submit a comment
Guest
Wednesday, 04 December 2024

Captcha Image

About Dot

Dot is Zimbabwean born and raised and after having lived in Europe for 20 years she decided to return home but uniquely she decided to drive  through Africa to get there.

She achieved her dream by driving 20,000kms through 18 West African countries over 8.5 months on her own for most of the journey.  Her book of the same title will soon be launched,and you can find out more about Dot or subscribe to the Blog for more.

 

Kusasa Scholarship Fund

Alongside my journey I've decided to raise funds for scholarships for girl's education in Zimbabwe, find out more about that here, to contribute to the Scholarship Fund please do so here.