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SA 4x4 legend: Here's how you can own Kingsley Holgate's 'last Defender'

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<b>OWN A PIECE OF HISTORY:</b> Adventurer Kingsley Holgate’s last Land Rover Defender is up for auction. Here's how you can own a piece of African automotive history and help a good cause! <i>Image: Land Rover SA</i>
<b>OWN A PIECE OF HISTORY:</b> Adventurer Kingsley Holgate’s last Land Rover Defender is up for auction. Here's how you can own a piece of African automotive history and help a good cause! <i>Image: Land Rover SA</i>

  • Kingsley Holgate’s last Defender up for auction
  • Online auction will be open to the public
  • Proceeds to be donated to the Kingsley Holgate Foundation

Pretoria – On April 13 2017, one lucky 4x4 enthusiast will officially own a piece of African history; Kingsley Holgate’s last Land Rover Defender.

The Defender, nicknamed Ndhlovokazi (the great she-elephant), is going on auction and all proceeds will go to humanitarian efforts championed by the Kingsley Holgate Foundation.

The auction process will take place online, at www.lastdefender.co.za, and will be open to all South Africans. Bidding will open on Monday (April 3) and remain open until midday on Wednesday (April 12). During this time, Kingsley Holgate’s last Defender will be on display at the Jaguar Land Rover Sandton dealership, on Rivonia Road in Sandton.

'Her spirit will live on'

Kingsley Holgate said: "Over the years, Land Rover has kindly provided me with many Defenders to explore and document the beauty and diversity of Mama Afrika, but I think my memories of Ndhlovukazi will be some of the fondest.

"It’s fantastic to know her spirit will live on in the hands of a dedicated Land Rove enthusiast. Thanks to Land Rover’s generosity, that person will also be directly responsible for improving the lives of many, many more fellow Africans."

Bidding for Kingsley Holgate’s last Defender will start at R449 000 (inclusive of VAT).

History of a 4x4 icon

First driven by Kingsley Holgate in 2015, this Defender has conquered the toughest terrain Africa has to offer. On its maiden expedition, the 4x4 transported Greybeard across six countries and 9000km, on an expedition to find the Heart of Africa.

To reach this remote location in the Republic of Congo, Kingsley and his team faced countless challenges: from armed militia and poachers, to dangerous animals, deadly insects and inhospitable conditions. Occasionally, these encounters left their mark on the unstoppable Defender – each one a chapter in its life story; an authentic signature from every road she has travelled.

Lisa Mallett, Marketing Director of Jaguar Land Rover South Africa and sub-Sahara Africa, said: “This Defender has a history like no other. She does not have dings and scratches, she has character and provenance. The Heart of Africa Defender is a tribute to both Land Rover’s capability and Kingsley’s incredible journeys all over the continent. The customer who acquires her will have one of the most special examples of this iconic a Land Rover icon.”

Reaching Lake Chew Bahir

In 2016 Ndhlovukazi once again took Kingsley along roads less travelled, this time zig-zagging its way through Africa on a 66-day-long trek to reach Lake Chew Bahir. This remote salt ocean, situated in the arid Great Rift Valley in Ethiopia, is where Kingsley set out to record the lifestyles and customs of ancient African tribes that are at risk of disappearing. His findings and research from this expedition will be published as part of the Living Traditions memoirs – a tribute to Africa’s lesser-known people and cultures.

4x4 kit

Ndhlovukazi is equipped with a number of accessories, which will remain fitted to the vehicle. Reinforced skid plates and nudge bars helped her effortlessly forge through craggy passes and dense bush. A snorkel intake and mud-terrain tyres gave Kingsley confidence through river crossings, dense rain forests and dirt. Off-road shock absorbers allowed for a higher ride-height, enabling her to easily scale the most challenging obstacles.

The Defender also has a lockable aluminium storage box in the load bed area. Kingsley used this to store and transport invaluable humanitarian aid items, including thousands of LifeStraws, anti-malaria mosquito nets and Rite to Sight reading glasses. Thanks to these aid items and Kingsley’s expeditions, this Defender has helped change the lives of more than 50 000 people throughout Africa.


Click here for more information or for the bidding site visit www.lastdefender.co.za

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