Well-known Limpopo Province historian Prof Louis Changioun, who started an epic 800 km walk from Inhabane, in Mozambique, on August 1, is on track to reach Schoemansdal on August 31.

This information filtered through this week, in telephonic conversations between Changioun and friends in Haenertsburg. He has experienced periodic water shortages, but his back-up vehicle has generally managed to keep him supplied with all he needed.

By Monday, Changioun had apparently completed 300 km, and said he was on schedule to cross into South Africa at Pafuri on Saturday August 24.

The grey-haired Professor is undertaking the walk, to commemorate a similar feat by Roman Catholic priest Joaquim de Santa Rita Montanha in 1855. The priest completed his walk in 42 days, to establish trade and diplomatic relations between the Portuguese authorities and the Boer Republic of the time.

Like Montanha, the professor is wearing sandals and a priestly robe, to add historic authenticity to the trip. His arrival in Schoemansdal will coincide with the release of a book on Montanha's epic journey, written by Prof Kobus Ferreira, which documents a multitude of exciting adventures.