The fascinating (unfinished) story of Kazimierz Nowak

 

“Kiss the children for me, and give them a hug (but only if they have behaved well). Otherwise, just kiss their foreheads in their sleep. Oh, how I miss my darlings, and I know they miss me too. If their father were with them, he would take care of them and protect them. I am coming. Just a few more months, and I will be with you again. Take care of yourselves, and the children too. As for me, I will not perish, I am a tough one. I have survived so much, and perhaps I will survive the rest. Goodbye.”

Warm kisses,

Kaz

That is an extract from one of the thousands of letters the podcast trio of author Tom Ysewijn, actor Titus de Voogdt, and podcast maker Jeroen Franssens found in Kazimierz Nowak’s house. Nowak is a man who, in 1931, set out to undertake a remarkable journey from Poland, down through Africa, to South Africa, and back (including through Namibia). During his five years and four months on the road, Nowak wrote hundreds of articles that his wife helped have published appear in Polish newspapers, thereby supporting his family.

The journey was a fraught one and took it’s toll on Nowak, who escaped death several times and was consumed by a guilty homesickness, directly or indirectly leading to his eventual death less than a year after making it home.

During his time in Namibia Nowak’s bicycle, after three years of use, broke down somewhere close to Leonardville. Not one to be deterred tough, Nowak proceeded to travel the next 2200km on horseback before getting a new bicycle in Quipeio in Angola. His route through Namibia took him through Gobabis, Steinhausen, and Hochfeld on the way to Waterberg. He then went to Grootfontein and Tsumeb before heading to Ondangwa and Okatana via Etosha.

Nowak’s letters and articles left behind a fascinating document of the times, an adventure story, and a critical report, all compiled and collated in the book “Aleen door Afrika – de opzienbarende reis van Kazimierz Nowak (1931-1936)” by journalist and author Tom Ysewijn. Belgian actor Titus de Voogdt (Small Gods, Brother, and King of the Belgians…), having read about Nowak, strikes up a friendship with Ysewijn and the two agree that Nowak’s story deserves a lot more attention. They thus call on the services of radio journalist and podcast maker Jeroen Franssens and a ‘mad cap’ adventure in the vein of Nowak is born – the three will set out to cycle the 2200km through Namibia that Nowak was forced to complete on horseback.

As little is known about this leg of Nowak’s journey the trio are hoping to find out more, including how he survived this leg of the journey and who he met and intereacted with along the way, documenting their discoveries, and of course their own journey too, in podcast form. Their mission is to find whatever traces they can of Nowak’s time in Namibia, which is where Namibians themselves come into the story, if you know anyone who has any record of Nowak, or even just remember your parents or grandparents talking about a strange Polish man have come through their lives, let us know on 083 000 1035.