Johannesburg teenager Sophie-Mae Hein completes a demanding 700km Botswana rally and raises over R100,000 to support children in Team Zonke through The Maletsatsi Foundation.
Johannesburg, South Africa (08 April 2026) – Sophie-Mae Hein from Johannesburg has turned a daunting challenge into an unforgettable story of courage. The 13-year-old completed nearly 700 kilometres of the tough Muddy Face Botswana rally, all while raising an incredible R103,000 for Team Zonke.
Before this adventure, Sophie-Mae had only briefly driven a side-by-side vehicle. But that didn’t stop her from taking on one of the most demanding off-road events, navigating rough bush terrain, deep sand tracks, and long endurance stages typically tackled by experienced adult drivers.
Her motivation ran deeper than the thrill of the challenge. Sophie-Mae set out with a clear goal: to raise funds for Team Zonke, a programme linked to The Maletsatsi Foundation that uses motorsport to empower children in alternative care.
“I’m 13. This is scary. But I’ve seen what Team Zonke does for kids whose lives started really hard and if I can do something hard to help them, I want to.”
The journey, however, was far from easy. Just 40 kilometres into the first stage, after hours behind the wheel and under pressure from more experienced competitors, Sophie-Mae reached a breaking point and briefly considered giving up. But she pushed through, completing the full 195-kilometre stage and returning the next day ready to keep going.
Day three brought even more drama. A damaged tyre nearly ended her race just a few kilometres in. With no easy solution in sight, it seemed like the finish line was out of reach. But through it all, she crossed that finish line.
Every kilometre Sophie-Mae drove was her own, navigating with a GPS for the first time and managing both the physical demands and emotional highs and lows of the rally. Her efforts paid off not only in completing the race but in raising vital funds that will go towards equipment, training, and opportunities for children in Team Zonke.
The programme focuses on helping young people rebuild confidence and a sense of belonging through sport, offering them pathways they might otherwise never have access to. It’s a cause close to Sophie-Mae’s heart, having grown up around the initiative and witnessed its impact firsthand.
And even though she crossed the finish line, her campaign continues, with more support still needed to help change young lives.
Those who would like to contribute can find more information on the campaign page here.
Sources: Supplied
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