Natasha Diergaardt
Ray Sasman’s biggest joy is starting her trek across Namibia every morning at sunrise, the smell in the air and the feel around her, and “just going for it”.
“I’m loving it, and I’m looking forward to the rest of the way,” she said enthusiastically as she makes her way to the Kazangula Border Post in the Zambezi region.
Sasman, a 52-year-old former teacher, set off from the Noordoewer Border Post in the //Kharas region on 1 May 2024 on a 2 200km trek to the Kazangula Border Post.
The plan is to complete the walk in three months.
Her goal is to raise awareness of the need for youth empowerment – and at the same time raise funds for an envisaged youth centre in Walvis Bay under the banner ‘Walk With Me’.
The campaign encourages people to join her in any way they can – through thoughts, prayers, messages or joining her on the walk.
Sasman embarked on this incredible solo trek across Namibia, driven by the need in public schools she witnessed as a teacher.
Growing up during apartheid, she said she found solace in youth camps.
“I had a safe haven to go to, and that has instilled in me a sense of adventure because we had a lot of outdoor activities, a lot of youth camps where I could connect with other children my age and just experience Namibia,” she noted.
As she heads north-east, she visits schools to share her journey and motivate learners to do well in school to create better lives for themselves, their families, communities and country.
On Monday, she visited two schools in Rehoboth – the Dr Lemmer High School and the Rehoboth Primary School.
Several of those learners then accompanied her out of their town early on Wednesday morning as she headed to the capital city.
Throughout her journey thus far, Sasman has been met with overwhelming support from the Namibian community, sending her messages from far and wide.
“I have people stopping their own journeys to chat with me, ask what I’m doing, to offer water or snacks. One guy even offered me credit for my phone, which was amazing, as well as lodges opening up their doors to me, people opening up their homes, and the poorest of the poor giving me permission to pitch my tent next to their little shacks. And I’ve been feeling so safe and in awe that Namibia is uniting like this in support of this walk.”
Earlier this week, she also had the pleasure of sharing a picnic with the ‘Gondwana Girls’ by the side of the road, describing it as an amazing treat.
Her journey is not just about walking. It is about connecting with people, and inspiring them to join her – whether physically or in spirit.
Asked what her family said of her plans, she said they were “shocked”, and tried to discourage her from doing it.
“I remember my one sister distinctly saying that maybe I should only do it next year, and plan better for it. But I decided no, this is what I would like to do, and I want to do it now.”
Sasman does not have a support vehicle, and regards herself as fortunate to have an amazing remote support team behind her, driven by her sister Joy Sasman and three friends, who check in with her every day.
They are Karin Oosthuizen, Marina Kluge and Buffy Tebbit, whom she sends her location pin, and they track her on the way to see where she is constantly – and give her support if she needs it.
“I have Aleisha Hammerslaght, who is taking care of my social media – and it takes a big load off me because I just forward the stuff to her, and she makes sure it gets onto Instagram and Facebook. I have to say she’s doing a fabulous job of it.”
In terms of how she handles the cold weather which has enveloped Namibia, Sasman said her sleeping bag can go up to -15°, and she has a down jacket to keep her warm.
Her voyage is a testament to her physical and mental resilience.
She averages 30 kilometres a day, despite challenges like blisters brought on when she decided to carry her provisions on her back, instead of continuing with her troublesome cart, aptly named Donkey, with whom she could manage only about 20km per day.
To keep her energy levels high, her diet includes Jelly Babies gummy sweets, energy bars, nuts, mango strips and gallons of electrolytes.
With three pairs of shoes remaining, and a minimalist approach to packing, Sasman follows the B1 road for its logistical advantages.
Her nights are often spent in the hospitality of family and strangers, with only three nights so far requiring her to pitch her tent by the roadside.
Looking ahead, her journey includes a challenging stretch through the Bwabwata National Park in the Zambezi region, for which she needs special permission from the police.
“By the sounds of it, the police will send me with an escort and park rangers. I’m not sure if it’s on foot, or if they will drive me through it.
I’ve spoken to Elago Nantana, who has done the walk in 2022, and he said ‘no, they drove him’.
If I’m not able to walk it, well, then I will have to handle it in whichever way possible to make sure that I get through it.”
Sasman is an adrenaline junky, who has peaked the three highest mountains in Africa: Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya and Mount Meru, and has hiked the Fish River Canyon nine times.
She has also done some abseiling and paragliding.
“Mentally, I need to be very strong. Usually, when I hit the 15km mark, that’s usually the time I have to dig deep and talk to myself constantly.
I’ve got this mantra going through my head: ‘I am strong, I’m fit, I can do it, I’m worthy, and I’m powerful’.
You know, motivational things that I have to keep on telling myself over and over again just to keep going.
“There are days that I feel I literally cannot go another step, but then I eat an energy bar, or I will have some of my gummy sweets and some of my rehydrate, and then I just keep going.
“So, for me, it’s literally just, no matter what, just put one foot in front of the other until you reach your destination for the day.”
Sasman’s walk through Namibia is more than a physical journey.
It is a powerful message of unity, resilience and hope for the future of Namibian youth.