The Kingsley Holgate Foundation is set to expand its humanitarian and conservation work across Africa’s remote regions, aided by the recent handover of two new Defender 130 vehicles.
The Foundation’s missions, which it calls 'adventures with a purpose', have long focused on the immediate need for malaria prevention. Veteran explorer Kingsley Holgate explained the personal motivation behind this drive. “Every member of our expedition team has contracted malaria in the past,” Holgate says. “We know first-hand how life-threatening it is, and how challenging it is to combat in areas where clinics are few and far between. This has become our personal mission.”
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A recent expedition in Mozambique’s Greater Gorongosa region highlighted the model of their work. The team distributed insecticide-treated mosquito nets to an estimated 3,000 mothers and children, coupled with education on preventing the disease. Their work often extends beyond malaria; the same expedition provided reading glasses to hundreds of elderly residents and ran a conservation education programme for over 1,000 schoolchildren, using art and soccer to teach the importance of natural habitats.
To reach these isolated communities, the Foundation relies on vehicles that can handle punishing terrain. The new Defender 130 Outbound models, which will support the 2026 expeditions, offer substantial load space for nets and other aid supplies. Features such as underbody protection plates and a raised air intake are fitted to handle rough tracks and dusty conditions.
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Janico Dannhauser, Defender Brand Manager for JLR South Africa, says: “Defender stands for more than just capability; it’s about the ability to make a difference. Knowing that the Defender 130 will help the Foundation serve remote communities is a source of pride for us.”
The vehicles will serve as a mobile base for the team as they continue their work, proving that a practical and capable bakkie is an important tool for delivering aid where it is needed most.
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