Lobatse, Botswana – Jason van Porppal, one of Africa’s most followed skateboarders, passed through Gaborone and is now in Lobatse as he pushes further south on a gruelling 6,937km skateboarding journey from Uganda to Cape Town.
Van Porppal departed Uganda and is aiming to reach Cape Town by the end of May 2026, covering the distance with scheduled rest points and a support team managing logistics and safety along the route.
The endurance challenge is designed to inspire youth participation in sport and promote road safety across the continent. Along the corridors he travels, Van Porppal shares practical messages on safe road use targeting pedestrians, cyclists, skaters and truckers. 
Speaking before leaving Gaborone, Van Porppal said the journey carries a deeper message for young people. “The journey is about resilience, discipline and showing the youth of Botswana what is possible with preparation and focus,” he said.
While in Botswana he visited schools to encourage active lifestyles among young people. He also spoke about his appreciation for the country’s flat terrain, its wildlife and the scenery between villages and towns.
The journey is expected to take Van Porppal through several southern African countries before he reaches Cape Town, meaning Eswatini could feature along his route. The Kingdom, which sits along major southern African travel corridors, has seen growing interest from international adventurers and endurance athletes passing through the region.
Botswana is increasingly being recognised as a preferred corridor for international personalities undertaking cross-border journeys across Africa, with the country’s profile as an active travel route having grown in recent months.
