A Mother's 1,600km Journey on a Vintage Tractor for Her Daughter's Dream
Corné Els, a South African mother, is on an extraordinary journey to support her daughter, Marconette. Marconette has been selected to participate in the prestigious 2023 Tug of War International Federation (TWIF) World Outdoor Championships in Switzerland. To raise funds to support her daughter's dream of representing South Africa on the international stage, Els has embarked on a remarkable 1,600km journey across the country on a 59yearold tractor.
Corné Els, a South African mother, is on an extraordinary journey to support her daughter, Marconette. Marconette has been selected to participate in the prestigious 2023 Tug of War International Federation (TWIF) World Outdoor Championships in Switzerland. To raise funds to support her daughter’s dream of representing South Africa on the international stage, Els has embarked on a remarkable 1,600km journey across the country on a 59-year-old tractor.
A Unique Mode of Transportation
Els’s choice of transportation is as unique as her journey. She drives a vintage 1964 Massey Ferguson 35 Diesel Deluxe on her journey. She began her journey in Krugersdorp and will end in Cape Town. Her goal is to raise R100 per kilometer or more.
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Braving the Elements
Els’s journey has not been easy. She has been navigating winding roads and braving the unpredictable elements to ensure her daughter’s dream becomes a reality. Her first stop was in Vaalbank, located between Magaliesberg and Koster. Despite the tractor smoking a bit, she remains confident that it will make the journey.
Support from the Community
As Els made her way through Hartbeesfontein, she was met with an outpouring of support from the local community. A group of tractor enthusiasts even joined her for part of the journey, riding alongside her on their own vintage tractors. They made a stop at a Massey Ferguson dealer to ensure that her tractor was in optimal condition for the next leg of her journey to Schweizer Reneke.
Unwavering Determination
Despite the challenges, Els remains optimistic and appreciative of the pleasant weather she has experienced so far. However, she knows that the weather may change as she gets closer to the Western Cape. Nonetheless, her unwavering determination to support her daughter is a powerful reminder of a mother’s love.
Supporting Corné Els’s Endeavor
Those wishing to contribute to Corné Els’s endeavor can do so through a BackaBuddy page titled “Tou Trekker Na Switzerland.” Alternatively, Els can be contacted directly at 078 802 7911 or through her email at [email protected].
A Shining Example of a Parent’s Love
Els’s journey is an incredible story of a mother’s love and sacrifice. It serves as an inspiration to others, proving that with determination, love, and a bit of creativity, anything is possible. As she continues her journey on this vintage tractor, Els not only raises funds but also inspires others to support their children’s dreams.
Zola Naidoo is a Cape Town journalist who chronicles the city’s shifting politics and the lived realities behind the headlines. A weekend trail-runner on Table Mountain’s lower contour paths, she still swops stories in her grandmother’s District Six kitchen every Sunday, grounding her reporting in the cadences of the Cape.
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