For 15 years, Expedition Africa has been a cornerstone of Adventure Racing, thanks to the dedicated efforts of Heidi and Stephan Muller. As the Muller’s shift their focus to new ventures, they pass on the legacy of Expedition Africa to a dynamic new team: Franco Olivier, Damon de Boor, and Malusi Molewa.
A Humble Beginning
“Expedition Africa started from nothing,” reflects Heidi Muller. “We began by organising short-distance urban events, and in 2011, we launched our first expedition-length race, Expedition Africa.”
Under the guidance of Heidi as Event Director and Stephan as Course Director, the Muller’s expanded the brand to include a range of races—short (25km), family-friendly events, and weekend-long races (60km, 120km, and 250km)—allowing participants to build their skills and confidence for the flagship Expedition Africa event.
In October 2023, Expedition Africa hosted the Adventure Racing World Championship in South Africa, featuring 109 four-person teams from 36 countries. The 2024 edition of Expedition Africa took place in Namibia.
A New Era Begins
Heidi and Stephan Muller are now ready to move on. As CEO of the Adventure Racing World Series (ARWS), Heidi’s responsibilities have expanded globally, leaving her with limited capacity to manage Expedition Africa.
“We’ve reached a turning point,” Heidi explains. “Managing over 70 events worldwide and developing the AR World Series brand has made it clear that it’s time for a new era. It’s time for others to carry forward the sport and the Expedition Africa legacy.”
Passing the Baton
The legacy of Expedition Africa has been entrusted to a new leadership team comprising Franco Olivier, Damon de Boor, and Malusi Molewa.
Franco Olivier brings over a decade of experience in adventure racing, with a track record spanning distances from 25km to expedition-length events. For the past two years, Franco has served as Race Director, overseeing Expedition Africa’s 10km and 25km races in Gauteng.
“Taking over the Expedition Africa sprint event series two years ago has been one of the best decisions I’ve made,” Franco says. “Owning Expedition Africa is a dream come true. It’s where passion and work come together to create true happiness. This is more than just a job; it’s a calling.”
Damon de Boor began his adventure racing journey in the early 2000s. “Joining the next phase of Expedition Africa was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” Damon explains. He views Expedition Africa as the heart of adventure racing in South Africa, an event that holds respect in the global community.
“Our mission is to preserve this legacy and expand the sport throughout South Africa,” Damon adds.
Malusi Molewa, Chairman and Founder of the Tshenolo Group of Companies and manager of Team Tshenolo Adventure Racing, brings a visionary approach to the new leadership. The name ‘Tshenolo’ signifies ambition, vision, and a broader perspective.
“This reflects who we are,” Malusi says. “Just as we were introduced to adventure racing by a friend, we aim to introduce this sport to the communities we grew up in. We believe many South Africans, particularly in the black community, are not yet aware of the sport’s potential.”
Expanding Adventure Racing
“You cannot build a successful sport without encouraging newcomers and involving children and young people,” emphasises Stephan. “Schools, engaged parents, and short-distance events—like the ones Franco has been organising—are crucial to this effort.”
With the transition of Expedition Africa to its new leadership team, they have inherited essential assets, including kayaks, race crates, branding, equipment, trucks, and trailers.
“They don’t have to start from scratch,” Stephan notes. “The new team can build upon the foundation we’ve established.”
Expedition Africa’s most valuable asset, Jabulani Sibanda, will continue with the company. Jabulani, a well-known and friendly figure among racers, is renowned for his exceptional work as a logistics driver. He will remain responsible for managing, maintaining, and caring for all the gear.
Striving for Excellence
Franco, Damon, and Malusi deeply value the Expedition Africa brand and the legacy built by Heidi and Stephan Muller. The new leadership team is committed to expanding Expedition Africa’s reach across South Africa by encouraging Race Directors to host monthly events nationwide. Their approach includes introducing smaller, manageable races to welcome newcomers to adventure racing, while also engaging youth participants to foster the next generation of athletes.
“We aim to reach the level of excellence set by Heidi and Stephan,” Franco says. “With their guidance, we’re confident in our ability to grow the Adventure Racing community in South Africa. Our goal is to organize races that are both enjoyable and accessible for beginners, while remaining challenging for experienced competitors.”
The Expedition Africa calendar is packed with events for the remainder of 2024 and through 2025. The team is also excited to announce plans for a major expedition-length race in 2026, set in one of South Africa’s most iconic locations.
For more information on Expedition Africa events, please visit expafrica.net and follow us on social media: Facebook and Instagram.