WATCH: Cyclist filled with hope after 22 000km trek over Africa

Moroccan Yassine Ghallam was dealt a blow when his bicycle was stolen outside a mosque in Jeffreys Bay. The stolen bike was donated to him when he had walked 8 000km from his country to Senegal. Photo: Supplied

Moroccan Yassine Ghallam was dealt a blow when his bicycle was stolen outside a mosque in Jeffreys Bay. The stolen bike was donated to him when he had walked 8 000km from his country to Senegal. Photo: Supplied

Published Jul 18, 2018

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The theft of his bike did not deter Moroccan Yassine Ghallam from continuing his trek around the continent, which saw him visiting 17 countries, covering more than 22 000km to Cape Town.

Last month the 31-year-old from Casablanca was dealt a blow when his bicycle was stolen outside a mosque in Jeffreys Bay. The stolen bike was donated to him when he had walked 8 000km from his country to Senegal.

He said the gesture was repeated when Bridge Cycles donated a brand-new bike to him so he could continue his journey.

“I have been overwhelmed by the kindness of the people I have met in every country I have visited. This just reinforced my belief in the goodness of people after what happened. When I began this journey last year with nothing I set out to learn about the actual Africa and not what we are led to believe.”

Ghallam said he was a citizen of Africa and embarked on his journey to see his country, learning English after spending one month in Guinea.

Documenting his journey on Facebook and Instagram, he was also struck by bad luck when his laptop and camera broke during his trek through Nigeria.

“No matter where you go, the people have the same dreams and hopes, despite the poverty in some countries. I always had a place to sleep and food to eat. 

Moroccan Yassine Ghallam has visited 17 countries on his bike, covering more than 22 000km to Cape Town. Video: Louis Neethling (photos, footage: supplied)

‘‘As an African, I don’t believe we should have borders, we should be free to visit each other and experience each other’s cultures,” he said.

Ghallam has dreams of travelling from Argentina to Canada, the breadth of Europe as well as Australasia, all within the next five or so years.

His other love, of mountain climbing, will include Tanzania and Kilimanjaro and Everest in Nepal, but first comes the remainder of the continent by visiting Mauritius and Mauritania.

Ghallam’s journey can be followed on Facebook and Instagram and anyone who wishes to know more or assist can reach him through those platforms.

[email protected] The theft of his bike did not deter Moroccan Yassine Ghallam from continuing his trek around the continent, which saw him visiting 17 countries covering an astonishing 23 000km to Cape Town.

Last month the 31-year-old from Casablanca was dealt a blow when his bicycle was stolen outside a mosque in Jeffreys Bay. The stolen bike was donated to him when he had walked 8 000km from his country to Senegal.

He said the gesture was repeated when Bridge Cycles donated a brand-new bike to him so he could continue his journey.

“I have been overwhelmed by the kindness of the people I have met in every country I have visited. This just reinforced my belief in the goodness of people after what happened. When I began this journey last year with nothing I set out to learn about the actual Africa and not what we are led to believe.”

Ghallam said he was a citizen of Africa and embarked on his journey to see his country, learning English after spending one month in Guinea.

Documenting his journey on Facebook and Instagram, he was also struck by bad luck when his laptop and camera broke during his trek through Nigeria.

“No matter where you go, the people have the same dreams and hopes, despite the poverty in some countries. I always had a place to sleep and food to eat.

‘‘As an African, I don’t believe we should have borders, we should be free to visit each other and experience each other’s cultures,” he said.

Ghallam has dreams of travelling from Argentina to Canada, the breadth of Europe as well as Australasia, all within the next five or so years.

His other love, of mountain climbing, will include Tanzania and Kilimanjaro and Everest in Nepal, but first comes the remainder of the continent by visiting Mauritius and Mauritania.

Ghallam’s journey can be followed on Facebook and Instagram and anyone who wishes to know more or assist can reach him through those platforms.

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