
Meet Kirsten Landman: From coma to Dakar - Africa's first woman to cross the finish line
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The Dakar rally, originally known as the Paris to Dakar Rally has taken place since 1978 but was moved due to security threats in Mauritania to South America for the past decade. This year, the race known as the toughest endurance rally in the world crossing dunes, camel grass and rocks took place in Saudi Arabia for the first time and there were two South African off-road bikers in the race, Kirsten Landman and Taye Perry who both managed to finish the 7,900km race. KwaZulu-Natal’s Landman was first across the line, ending in 55th place overall, while Perry who had to push her bike the last couple of hundred metres came 77th. Biznews spoke to Kirsten, who had a crash that almost ended her career, about how it feels to be the first African woman to complete the Dakar rally and how social media has enabled women to promote their sports careers. – Linda van Tilburg