Mpumalanga
 

Hi All,

My Girlfriend has applied to do a PhD to do with cattle in Mpumalanga. Obviously its a pretty big area, but we're just trying to find out a bit more about it. I'm either going to ride there, leave the bike and fly home, then fly back and forward as other commitments allow, or buy a bike there and leave with her and again fly back and forward as commitments allow.

Is anyone in that area now, or have they been recently?

As far as we know she'll be based at a field station, but she will need to visit farmers. How safe do you think it would be for a female?

Any other advice is welcome!

I have just returned from half a years' biking all over Southern Africa. Considering the crime rate in South Africa, Mpumalanga is way down and easy going. Being sufficiently far away from the commercial hubb Johannesburg and having no real big business centres, it is one of the quiet, more rural areas. Having grown up in northern Natal (now KwaZulu) I think the people living there are quite laid back compared to the Zulu people.

After having seen the presentation of Lois Pryce, travelling all on her own through western Africa from the UK to Cape Town (see Lois on the Loose ), I should say that riding a bike in Mpumalanga is less of a risk ;-) Taking the general precautions, like not riding in the dark, not stopping unnecessarily on frequented roads, not camping in the wild, I don't consider it a big risk.

Enjoy!
Hans

Mpumalanga
 

Hey Panda,
Well I guess if you need Mpumalanga info, then I'll qualify as I live here. it's ok with the usual crime (as appears across our dear country) but as far as being safe, for a woman, like anywhere in the world there are those dodgy areas etc that one just avoids. But let's not be negative as it is a really cool and beautiful place and I love it here. I live in Hazyview, which is not exactly cattle farming area but if you guys are close by, please call on me for that bitterly cold frosty that lives in my fridge and if you need somewhere to store your bike for a few months I'm sure there's a spot we could use here. any more info needed please mail me at martindotsmithatvodamaildotcodotza.
Martman

Thanks for your advice guys, it's put my mind a bit more at ease!

She has an interview coming up, so it looks promising, so I might be able to take you up on that cold beer Martman!

Good on you mate, I'm not on line that often but email me direct if I don't reply on this forum. otherwise call me on my mobile when you are here 0823237415.

Mapumalanga Contact...
 

Hey Martman...

Where in Mapu. are u? Sent u a PM.

Sorry for the delay, I live in a place called Hazyview, near Nelspruit. You nearby..... I know it's 4 days later, you have probably moved on then???