South Africa boasts a rugged beauty that often leaves international visitors spellbound – from its expansive landscapes, world-famous game reserves and stunning beaches to its spectacular mountain ranges and thrilling action and adventure spots. More recently, South Africans themselves have been getting out to explore and rediscover more of Mzanzi, and in the process helping to boost a tourism sector that has been battered hard over the last two years. 

But roads further off the beaten track can be a lot trickier, especially dirt or gravel stretches that are often not mapped on Google Street View. This can leave travellers and adventurers unprepared for the road conditions they will encounter. 

Iconic tyre brand Dunlop has risen to this challenge yet again, with a second take on its award-winning Grandtrek Uncharted expedition. The mission: to go once again to places Google hasn’t been. 

Launched in late 2020 as a way of showcasing the proverbial road less travelled, the Grandtrek Uncharted expedition spanned all nine provinces, as modern-day explorers Peter van Kets and Jacques Marais sought out uncharted roads far from the beaten track that could be added to Google Street View using a special 360-degree camera. 

In 2021, Grandtrek Uncharted Phase 2 is zooming in on two of SA’s coastal provinces, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, taking 10 travellers on shoreline voyages fit for the coast-loving 4x4, off-road or outdoor enthusiast. 

“South Africa is well-known for its 4x4 routes and rugged terrain, but many of these routes have entire sections that aren’t mapped because the terrain is too rough. That’s why we’re once again setting out to map these well-known routes and encouraging consumers once again to get out there and explore,” says Lubin Ozoux, CEO of Sumitomo Rubber South Africa, which manufactures the Dunlop brand in Africa. 

Thanks to Grandtrek Uncharted, travellers and tourists will now be able to find a few well mapped out roads in and around some of the country’s most spectacular gravel passes along the coast - from Bosluiskloof Pass, the Swartberg Pass and Gamkaskloof (a.k.a. Die Hel) in the Western Cape, to the oNgoye Forest, Gwahumbe and Sani Pass in KZN. “These routes might be rough – but they’re definitely not rough enough for Dunlop’s Grandtrek tyres, which enable you to tame any terrain,” says Ozoux. 

Joining Dunlop Grandtrek on the adventure are prolific photographers Mike Eloff (@lifeofmikeza), and Kieran Allen (@kierranallen), travel blogger Shelley Ferreira (@travel_blogged) and digital creators Durbanite Official (@durbanite_official), Kabelo Lelo Dladla (@mamiwiththedreads), Amber Kelly (@firsttimemamma), Tebogo Ramaselele (@tebogo_ramaselele), Marcella (@marchi_x), Boipelo Bokaba (@uncleboipelo) and Jodi Sardinha (@jodisardinha). 

Keen to tag along for the journey? Follow these accounts on social media, or take in the Grandtrek Uncharted 360-degree footage uploaded to the Google Street View platform. To view the footage, as well as the destinations visited, visit www.grandtrek.co.za

On 27th May 2021, Ricardo Maarman approached the high court of South Africa in a landmark case requesting the government to produce proof of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in its isolated and purified form. Maarman holds a master's degree in international politics and refers to himself as an ordinary and concerned South African citizen. Motivated by the devastating effects of the lockdowns on the population, Maarman states, "the cost to our fragile economy is racking up: the removal of civil liberties, business closure, loss of lives, job losses and widespread unemployment..." as some of the reasons he decided to take action against Cyril Ramaphosa, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Mr Zweli Mkhize and Professor Salim Abdool Karim.

The high court ruling by Judge AJ Nziweni reads as follows, "The applicant has not made a case for urgency. Consequently the matter is struck off the roll." The Cambridge Dictionary defines urgency as "the quality of being very important and needing attention immediately". What could be more important or need immediate attention than verifying the existence of a virus that has profoundly impacted the South African economy and caused personal harm to the population? On the transcript of the court hearing, Judge Nziweni states, "I'm only going to give ruling pertaining to the aspect of urgency" citing "urgent duties" as reason for her decision to the Western Cape court room while supporters and peaceful protestors waited outside.

What comes next? Maarman and his counsel are currently preparing an application to constitutional court regarding a case of State Capture given that the government has failed to provide evidence for the existence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In a recent video directly addressing the South African people, Maarman stated, "they are capturing the country... it is a capture that is done through infiltration, using government officials such as Ramaphosa in high office to betray this country... He (Ramaphosa) has sold us out to the World Health Organization, Bill Gates and the United Nations, by declaring this lockdown".

Later in the video, Maarman called out members of parliament for failing to protect the country as well as the South African Reserve Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the Bank of International Settlements for their roles in financing the lockdowns. According to Maarman, evidence will be submitted to prove conflicts of interest that exist between Bill Gates, Ramaphosa and his advisors. Further evidence to be presented regarding conflicts of interest involving the South African Reserve Bank and the International Monetary Fund who he alleges "are in cahoots to topple the country's finances".

Ricardo Maarman's court case has attracted international and local online attention as well as support from well-known medical personalities including Prof. Dolores Cahill, Dr Stefan Lanka, Dr Sherri Tenpenny and Dr Faiez Kirsten. Congratulatory and support messages for the court case has been pouring in from Germany, Canada, New Zealand, Russia, Namibia, Zimbabwe (amongst others) with some people seeking advice on how to start similar court cases in their respective countries. Ricardo Maarman is resolute on his message, "Do not be distracted, if there is no isolated SARS-CoV-2 virus then the lockdown measures (face masks, vaccines, limitation of movement & gatherings, decimated economy, etc) are unjustifiable and criminal. Recent or current looting is most glaring proof of the state of capture case which we will present to the Concourt"

For more information and updates, visit www.showusthevirus.info. Media opportunities: To arrange an interview or editorial with Ricardo Maarman (in-person, virtual, telephonic or in writing), please contact Nash Singh at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..