Njinga: Breaking the Cycle in Africa by Dr. Kate Leeming
A world-first cycle expedition across Africa from Senegal to Somalia
The story of Kate Leeming’s astonishing 22,000-kilometre trek by bicycle across Africa – dodging rebels, insurgents and Somali pirates and exotic and dangerous wildlife while battling extreme conditions from desert to jungled terrain on non-existent roads and faint tracks, is more than a story of mental grit and physical endurance.
It is a fascinating exploration of African history: of powerful kings and forgotten empires; of sophisticated learned civilisations and intricate spiritual beliefs and traditions; of unimaginable exploitation of human life and the environment; of brutal politics and endemic corruption.
Through it all, the enduring spirit of the often-misnamed ‘Dark Continent’ shines brightly. Kate’s path is blessed with the smiles, the songs and dance and abounding kindness of people whose character remains uncrushed by the injustice of poverty.
Njinga, the story of Kate Leeming’s journey, continuously reveals the truth of Africa and its diverse people and cultures. It is a perspective that could only be gained on a bicycle, by an explorer who has cycled the equivalent of twice around the world at the Equator.
ANZEC Member - Dr Kate Leeming
As an explorer/adventurer, Kate has cycled the equivalent of twice around the world at the Equator. On August 16th 2010 she became the first person to cycle an unbroken line from Africa’s most westerly to its most easterly point, from Pointe des Almadies, Senegal to Cape Hafun, Puntland, Somalia.Crossing 22,040 km over ten months, Kate’s Breaking the Cycle in Africa Expedition was not only a physical quest but an odyssey to highlight the development needs and activities of war-torn and poverty-stricken nations. Cycling through twenty countries, Kate aimed to find out what is being done to give a ‘leg up’ rather than a ‘hand out’ – to shine a positive light on the issues, cultures and geography of Africa.Kate has two previous world firsts under her belt – the Trans-Siberian Cycle Expedition (1993) when she became the first woman to cycle across the new Russia unsupported (aiding the children of Chernobyl), and the 25,000km Great Australian Cycle Expedition (2004/05) which included the first bicycle crossing of the Canning Stock Route by a woman.Kate’s latest challenge, Breaking the Cycle South Pole, will include the first complete bicycle crossing of the Antarctic continent via the South Pole (2018).The Breaking the Cycle education programme aims to help prepare our future leaders to make informed decisions to create a better world. Students and Scouts across the globe will be able to follow her preparatory activities and Antarctic expedition and partake in virtual learning presentations with the end goals of creating their own activities with the option of raising funds for YGAP (Y Generation Against Poverty).In March 2016, The University of Western Australia awarded Kate an honorary Doctor of Education degree for services to education and community. She is also a fellow of the Royal Geographic Society (UK) and a Scout Ambassador.In 2014, Kate’s documentary ‘Njinga’ won two awards at the Action on Film International Film Festival in Los Angeles – best cinematography and best documentary (sport). ‘Njinga’, Kate’s second book, complements the documentary; her first, Out There and Back, chronicles the Australian expedition.In between expeditions, Kate works as a real tennis professional. She has won 5 Australian Open singles titles and been ranked as high as world number 2
