Sakkie Fourie

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AGE: 46     (Afrikaans/English)

MARITAL STATUS: Married

PROFESSION: I am a Concessionaire of SureBank.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN RIDING MOTORCYCLES: I have been riding since the age of 14 until after school when a car became a better option. In 1997 I bought a Big Dog motorcycle, and later on another street rod chopper. I also have a Kawasaki ZX10 and 2007 Honda Goldwing. Last year I added a BMW GS1200 Adventure and am suffering to keep all the batteries charged ever since.

WHAT RIDING EXPERIENCE DO YOU GOT: For most of the time I only had the choppers which are a very uncomfortable ride, not only for me but for my family. So riding was limited to breakfast runs until I bought the Goldwing where after there were longer day trips. Last year I bought the BMW Adventure and have very little experience on it.

WHAT IS THE FURTHEST YOU HAVE RIDDEN IN ONE DAY: 400Km

WHAT ADVENTURE MOTORCYCLE TRAVEL HAS YOU DONE ACROSS THE BORDERS: Rented a bike in Greece that we used to travel with. No adventure trips across the border.

WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO BOOK ON THE CAIRO TO CAPE 2011: A few reasons:

  1. For the adventure.
  2. I have been on your mailing list for more than two years, how I got there, I really don’t know! So it must be a destined for me. (I thought)
  3. I have traveled with SAA, British Airways and Emirates to numerous countries in the world, but never with BMW. I am used to the prosperity of the 1st world countries, I know Africa is different, why not see Africa on a motorcycle.
  4. I am an open minded person and I know you only have one life and you have to live it. (If not now, WHEN!)
  5. I don’t mind all the discomfort or anything that is part of the package, as long as it is worth it in the end.

WHAT ARE YOUR PERSONAL FEELINGS ABOUT THE LIFE CHANGING UNDERTAKING YOU ARE EMBARKING ON:

This will certainly be a 44 day mental diet!! You will discover the secret of happiness again. I don’t think you will get any closer to experiencing the poverty and war torn areas in Africa than with an organized group like this. In the end you will have a better understanding of what is going on in Africa. You will appreciate certain aspects in life again and won’t take everything and everybody for granted.

WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS?: I think to be honest, to be able to finish the whole expedition or adventure with success. What do I expect to see?? …Poverty, effects of civil war, human suffering, people who stare at you because they are curious, begging bystanders and children, poor people trying to sell their goods to you that you don’t want. Face health and safety risks, life threatening diseases, bad accommodation and sanitary facilities etc, …and experience nature.

WHAT ARE YOU FEARING MOST AND WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING FROM THIS EXPERIENCE: What I fear the most? …An empty credit card! LOL! …. I am mentally in good shape, nothing wrong with my mind, but I am unfit and a bit over weight (according to my wife, but you can’t believe everything she says) I won’t be able to climb Kilimanjaro, not even with a few rests in between….but I am willing!

A PERSONAL INTRODUCTION: My name of birth is De Ridder Fourie, but my friends call me Sakkie. I was born in Klerksdorp on 20th July 1964 and my home language is Afrikaans. I am married with a beautiful caring woman, Alta. We have two sons, Berrie 15, and Dean 10 years of age. My biggest achievement in primary school was to be elected as part of the “Padpatrollie” team. After that I went to Wesvalia High School where I matriculated. I am very proud because of the fact that I was elected “klaskaptein” ….because I was the only boy in the class.

I went to study at Potchefstroom College of Education in 1983 and studied to be a teacher, where I managed to finish the four year course in six years. Why always be in a hurry? …So I went to the army to do basic training at Infantry School in Oudtshoorn. I finished the Junior Leaders course and became a Lt. I did my second year in Kimberly giving training to SAKK members. After military service I went teaching and joined the Commando for the next 12 years as Commander of B- Company in Rustenburg. (That was 30kg’s ago….)

I started my teaching career at a Werda School which was a Clinic School where the strengthening of youth, families and communities in difficulty took place. Later on I accepted a post as Head of department at Oom Paul School where I stayed until I resigned to start my own business because of the fact that there is no future in the Government.

Today I am a concessionaire of SureBank in the Rustenburg area.

I am an active member of the Rustenburg Flying Club and a holder of Private pilot’s license. I love flying and am the owner of a light sport aircraft.

I like traveling, have seen the world, tried to finish all their beer but lost the battle.