Man on a mission ... Episode 2

We crawl through interminable roadworks and Mark swears at the traffic. I assure him that roadworks are good. That was probably the downfall of Africa. A lack of roadworks. African tyrants deliberately let their communications networks collapse to prevent opposition parties from rallying. If I need to point out to you that roads are an integral part of an extended communications network, you are probably on the wrong site.

As we crawl through the roadworks I have time to observe the small, solid but shabby suburban houses along the highway. This is very therapeutic and I always suggest that as therapy for people who claim to be depressed. I crack another beer and rejoice ... I'm not living there!

Soon enough we're out of the roadworks and the traffic and on one of the dreariest highways in the country ... the N12 between Benoni and Witbank ... and in winter it is at its very dreariest. It is an open grassland with clumps of trees here and there, but everything appears to have a thin layer of coal dust on it ... every inch of it for the whole 100km stretch.

We listen to the blues of RL Burnside and it's fitting accompanyment to the landscape. Once the coalmines of Witbank is behind us, things start looking better and Mark decides that it's time for a beer. We listen to music and chat and stop for an excellent lamb curry at Milly's outside Machadodorp. Milly, whoever you are, all I can say is bravo. So do not hesitate to stop at Milly's outside Machadodorp. It was one of the best restaurant meals I've ever eaten in South Africa.

Outside Machadodorp we take the scenic Schoeman's Kloof road and drink more beer. I point out to Mark that I was a bit worried about the state of the road, but I need not have worried. It is in tip-top shape because it is privately maintained by a toll company. Once again proof that governments should be busying themselves with creating opportunities for their citizens and not try to do things by themselves. They muck it up, as the parlous state of most of South Africa's secondary government-maintained roads bear such eloquent witness to.

If you want to have potholes ... government is the body to turn to, they are excellent at creating and maintaining them and the only person who benefits is the guy who makes the 'Potholes next 5km' signs. He's coining it.

If you want a smooth road surface pay the toll and don't complain. There at least you get a lot for a little bit of tax whereas you get very little for a lot of tax paid to government.

But I digress. My mission is to get my mother's wheels to her and conclude my 67 Minutes for Madiba. This I accomplish with a flourish and mother is happy and my father is happy that my mother is happy and my brother Abrie and sister-in-law Maretha are happy and the dogs are happy and I'm happy and mark is happy ... I think it would suffice to say everybody is happy.

But there is still the little matter of getting my 80-year-old father online ... Episode 3 to follow.