My 67 Minutes: Di's Diary from Mozambique

I've heard the stories and seen the photos on the Facebook pages of just about everybody I know. Mozambique is one of the glaring unticked boxes on my list of must-visit-destinations, but up to now the Kruger National Park is the furthest north I've ever been.

(There was that afternoon on the Portuguese Island, but a boat cruise stop-over doesn't count).

I am so excited to cross our northern border with Bikers for Mandela Day as they extend a hand of neighbourly friendship by taking the message of community service to Madiba's "country-in-law".

Madiba shared the last 15 years of his life with his third wife and former Mozambican first lady, Graca Machel. As Zelda la Grange puts it: "There was a marriage between South Africa and Mozambique".

Yet, Mozambique has never experienced a Mandela Day event. 

Today, that will change.

The South African Bikers will meet up with bikers from Maputo. They will lead us to the Goodbye Malaria Project in Namaacha - that's where the first ever Mandela Day 67 minute will be performed.

Goodbye Malaria was started by a group of entrepreneurs, including Nando's co-founder Robbie Brozin.

He has been involved in the fight against Malaria for the past 12 years. They promote awareness, prevention and fundraising to enable people to protect themselves against this preventable disease.

Brozin believes the eradication of Malaria is possible, but it's about working together.

I have met some pretty amazing people over the past two days … most of them ordinary people, who go about helping others, everyday chipping away at the hardship, strife and despair around us.

One of them is Lindiwe Rapinga, from the Greater Rape Intervention Project (GRIP). She dedicates her life to giving support, love and hope to victims of rape.

We met her in Barberton, at the police station, where she helps women in their darkest hour and beyond.