#InTheSpotlight RIAAN MANSER – ADVENTURIST.

Manser rose to prominence on becoming the first person to cycle around the perimeter of Africa. For over twenty four months, alone & unaided, he pedalled a staggering 37,000 km through 34 countries, some of which rank as the most dangerous countries on Earth. Manser’s achievement earned him the title “OutThere Adventurer of the Year 2006” & his book, “Around Africa on my Bicycle”, became a bestseller.During Riaan’s journey he was imprisoned in Equatorial Guinea & was held captive by drugged teenage rebels in Liberia. Both occasions he secured his release through his charm, amicable personality & exceptional powers of persuasion.Along the way Manser ate some exotic dishes such as monkey, bat, camel & rat.As if cycling the perimeter of the continent wasn’t enough, he also climbed Mt Kilimanjaro & descended to Lake Assal, the highest & lowest points on the continent.On seeing Riaan’s story on television, Nelson Mandela personally requested a meeting with Manser, saying it was “a performance that will inspire the youth of the continent”.The Explorer’s Club in New York - whose members include the first man to reach the North Pole, the first to reach the South Pole, the top of Everest, the deepest point in the ocean & the first man on the moon – extended a special invitation to Manser to speak before its illustrious organisation.