Kai von Pannier

There are over 100 million land mines buried beneath the surface of this Earth. Someone steps on a mine every 19 minutes – usually women and children. Whole communities live in constant fear and terror thanks to these weapons.

The Mineseeker Foundation is dedicated to the detection, identification and removal of landmines. It also seeks to help those people who have been affected by landmines, by rehabilitating the land and ensuring that these communities have sustainable futures.

They use new technology, developed by the British Ministry of Defence and licensed to Mineseeker to detect mines in an instant.

The Sole of Africa Project was launched by the Mineseeker Foundation so that, once the mines have been identified and the removal process is under way, the land can be released for agriculture and a Foster Management team installed to teach the communities to sow, grow and sell their own produce.

The project has received support from Patrons such as Nelson Mandela, Sir Richard Branson, Queen Noor, Brad Pitt, Dame Graca Machel and Lord Richard Attneborough and counts Diane Holden, Roberta Flack, Lucie Diamond, James CD Porter and Diane Farr among its’ ambassadors.

We chatted to Kai Von Pannier, based in Durban, who is Managing Director of the South African division of the Mineseeker Foundation and Mineseeker Operations.

Personal
Q: How would you like to be introduced at a social event?
A: With fanfare and trumpets, hordes of girls to enter before me and some decent rock music blasting away! LOL

Q: Tell us something that not many others know about you. This could be anything from a phobia to your favorite movie.
A: I have a great affinity for Polar Bears. I consider them guardians of our planet. They actually came here on comets made of fire and ice. They are our indicators of the planets general health. Let’s face it – it is not good.

Q: What do you enjoy doing when you want to get away from it all?
A: I love mountains, any mountains, walking and climbing them

Q: How would you describe your dream home and where in South African would you want it to be?
A: I think I have it already! Durban with amazing sea views from Umhlanga to the Bluff!

Sole of Africa/ Mineseeker Foundation
Q: How did you become involved with the Mineseeker Foundation?
A: It is quite a long movie this one! I was marketing manager at Harley-Davidson at the time and organising the International Rally in Durban. The Mineseeker Founder, Mike Kendrick, was in town and asked if he could have the stage for 10 minutes. Those 10 minutes changed my life and I started working with the Foundation shortly after that. It was quite bizarre when I remembered that my father who as a German POW after the 2nd World War in England, swept the British beaches for landmines. Guess we have it in our family DNA!

Q: What has been your proudest moment of involvement with the organisation?
A: Without doubt seeing a 3 year old boy who lost his leg at the age of 2 through a landmine walking and kicking a ball after only 4 hours of receiving his prosthetic limb. You can see the video on our Youtube channel.

Q: Can you give us an insight into your role and duties in the organisation?
A: I look after the development and expansion of our Victim Assistance programs throughout Africa. We are also busy developing self-sustaining agricultural and trade programs. We do not believe in aid for ‘Aids sake’. Aid actually kills people in the long run. We need to give them trades and agricultural futures that will build themselves, first as families, then as villages, then as towns and then as countries. Although aid is necessary it is a short term solution and just gets rid out the symptoms rather than the cause. We have just launched our commercial company Mineseeker Operations. We have developed very sophisticated software that can find landmines from the air using helicopters. We recently conducted trials in Croatia and they were very successful. This technology will be used for commercial contracts and a percentage will be given back to fund the Foundation.

The Mineseeker Foundation

Q: What areas is the Mineseeker Foundation currently working in?
A: We have programs in Mozambique, Sierra Leone and now we are looking at programs in Croatia and Sri Lanka.

Q: How can everyday people get involved and help the Mineseeker Foundation?
A: First step is to become aware of the enormity of the problem. The landmine issue lost focus when Princess Diana died. Mike Kendrick (Founder) and Sir Richard Branson (patron) decided to carry on her legacy. Does anyone actually know that there are an estimated 600million landmines on this planet? The problem is also that people don’t know where they are, so huge tracts of land that could be used is left alone. It really it’s not a question of ‘where they are’ but where ‘they are not’

Life in South Africa
Q: What do you enjoy most about living in South Africa?
A: Pretty much everything except the crime! I love the mixture of people, the vibrance, the weather…it goes on. I travel a lot and believe me…the grass ain’t that greener on the other side!

Q: When asked about crime in South Africa, what is your response?
A: I don’t deny it. It is a very real problem. People need to get involved in some way. The more we all help the better it will get.

Q: To which three local attractions would you first take an international visitor?
A: Mmmmm…the new beachfront, the Berg and any of our amazing game parks up the North Coast like the Umfolozi Wilderness trail.

Q: South Africa’s greatest export is?
A: Grumpy ex-pats !!! And our music !

Geoff Brink

Izimvo is honoured to introduce freelance photographer and self-confessed madman, Geoff Brink.

Geoff set out on the 28th December to cycle from Durban to Cape Town, on a unicycle! The Heart & Sole tour is traveling across South Africa to raise funds and awareness for the anti-landmine organisation, The Sole of Africa.

Former Izimvo interviewee Fred Hatman, is supporting Geoff on the epic adventure and is documenting every kilometer at http://fredhatman.co.za.

Heart & Sole Tour Updates: http://fredhatman.co.za/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/The_Heartman
Location: Umdloti

Geoff was kind enough to answer the following questions:

Personal

Q: The all important personal profile. How would a close friend introduce you at a social event?  I.e. Name, age, company, interesting fact etc.

A: Geoff Brink, 38, Geoff Brink photography, recently learnt to ride a unicycle.

Q: Tell us something that not many others know about you. This could be anything from a phobia to your favorite movie.

A: I can’t deal with dog poo in wet grass. I used to sing in a choir. I can make over 32 real animal noises.

Q: What do you enjoy doing when you want to get away from it all?

A: I go surfing or bundu bashing in my truck.

Q: How would you describe your dream home and where in South African would you like it to be?

A: The one I am currently living in – wood and thatch surrounded by pristine coastal bush with sea view in Umdloti.

This question was proudly sponsored by Private Property

Heart & Sole Tour

Photos: http://fredhatman.co.za/

Q: You are about to set out on a unicycle across South Africa to raise awareness of anti-landmine organisation, The Sole of Africa. What was the inspiration for the adventure and why a unicycle?

A: The inspiration came from a higher source. A unicycle because nobody has ridden one this distance in South Africa before! I am currently over 600km into the journey to Cape Town! I couldn’t even ride a unicycle 4 months ago!

Q: Tell us about the logistics and training that has gone into the trip?

A: Logistics – not my strong point – hence the dwindling cash supply. Training – a couple of rides out to Ballito and Umhlanga – should have done much more, but I’m fit now after 3 weeks on the road!

Q: Which part of your preparation has been most difficult, the physical or the mental?

A: Obviously the physical is important, but you have to be even fitter mentally!

Q: What are your goals for the challenge and how long do you think it will take you?

A: Make it to Cape Town before the 8th May 2010 (my wedding date).

Q: What is the best way for our readers to get involved?

A: Please visit our blog at www.fredhatman.co.za we are running low on travel funds!!! Donations most welcome! Thanks.

Life in South Africa

Q: Have you or any of your immediate family been affected by crime? If yes, has it changed your perception of the country and the way you and your family live your lives?

A: Ja, I had an old 4×4 stolen 2 years ago, had no insurance so I was very unimpressed to see it go! But exactly a year later the boys in blue recovered it, and to my surprise it had been totally revamped – rust taken out, resprayed, new off road tyres etc, needless to say I was affected in a positive way.

Q: Have you ever considered emigration? If yes, where do you think you would emigrate to?

A: Yes – the republic of Umdloti.

Q: If you had the opportunity to sit down with the president, what advice would you offer him?

A: I would ask him to charge handsomely for public appearances, and then give him the bank details of the heart and sole tour!

Q: South Africa’s greatest export is?

A: Mrs Balls Chutney.

Life in Durban

Q: What do you most enjoy about living in Durban?

A: Johnny’s Rotis, the corner cafe, surfing sans wetsuit, no need for suit and ties.

Q: How have you found the response from Durban’s commuters when out training on your unicycle?

A: Lots of hoots, smiles and waves.

Q: Favorite spots for that all important carbo-loading?

A: The corner cafe in Glenwood, Durban.

General

Q: What are the luxury items that are accompanying you on your trip and what do you think you are going to miss the most?

A: Pillow, Braai grid, & an iPod (soon to be purchased or sponsored).

Q: How do you keep yourself motivated after a tough day on the unicycle?

A: More is nog-a-dag! Hot meal and my pillow.

Q: One book that you would make required reading for all matric pupils?

A: Stranger in a Strange Land (Robert Heinlein)

Q: Favorite South African brand?

A: Pro Nutro.

Q: Who would you most like to read about on Izimvo and what would you like to ask them?

A: Anyone weird, wonderful or original. Why are we here?

We’d like to thank Geoff for taking the time during his inspirational adventure to answer our questions and wish him every success for the journey ahead. We’ll be following his progress with great interest.

Geoff’s personal banking details are below should you wish to make any donations to the tour.

G. M. Brink
Standard Bank
Plusplan
Account: 056 706 804
Branch code: 042 626