PRETORIA NEWS (S Africa) 06 August 08 'Mad Martin' snakes towards record (Jacques Breytenbach)
When a three-metre black mamba slithered around the neck of "Mad Martin" as he lay in bed, all the man from Edenvale could think was "Man, that feels 'lekker'."
After having spent 51 days in a 20m2 room with 40 venomous snakes, Martin Smit is almost half way to becoming the first person to live for 110 days in a room full of snakes.
Smit, who is regarded as a seasoned snake handler, began his Guinness World Record attempt at the Chameleon Village Reptile Park and Zoo at Hartbeespoort Dam on June 14.
He plans to step out of the enclosure on October 5, which is three days later than was initially planned.
The attempt - entitled "Snake-Sit-In 2008" - requires Smith to sleep, bath, eat and even exercise in the enclosure.
Species in the room with Smit include black and green mambas, puffadders as well as Egyptian cobras. The reptile park itself has 100 different species of snakes on display.
Smit said he would definitely succeed in his attempt.
"No problem," he said when asked if he would reach 110 days, "it's downhill from here".
Apart from having the flu and being bitten on the shoe by a puffadder after he stepped on it, Smit is as healthy as ever and showing no signs of giving up.
"It was my own fault. The puffadders' fangs didn't even pierce my shoe," he said.
Smit said he has learned a tremendous amount of new information about the various species of snakes in the room.
"After all of this is over, I will disclose all of this new information by publishing the diary I keep every day. Until then, the information will not be made public," he said.
Smit said the thing he missed the most was going for a walk.
"In the end it is all worth it.
"I believe that I have changed some people's negative ideas about snakes into something more positive.
"This has to do with educating people. I hear the same questions every day, but it is the first time that person has asked that question," he said.
Hennie Jonk, the owner of the park, said they raised R12 000. These donations will go to a charity called First Save a Child.
"Martin is motivated to see the 110 days through. He's definitely going to make it," he said.
Park landscaper and personal friend of Smit, Clyde Marais, said it was a miracle that Martin has not been bitten yet.
"He is one of the bravest people that I've ever met. I think he's a great guy and I take my hat off to him," he said.
Lucky Mahlangu, who travelled all the way from Krugersdorp to see the attempt for himself, could at first only say "eish".
"When I heard about this man, I thought he would be old. But I see that he is young and handsome.
"I did not expect this man to be with the snakes," Mahlangu said.
Visitor Cathy Corke said Smit had to feel a special affinity with snakes in order to do what he did.
"I don't think he is mad. I personally believe someone has to have a special drive in him to do something like this. I wish him the best of luck," she said.
Her eight-year-old son, Tom, took a different view: "He's mad!"
Another visitor, Tshepiso Mabebo, was stunned at seeing Smit surrounded by snakes.
"Martin is too brave. I would never be able to do something like this. Maybe he is a little bit mad," she said.
People can see how Smit is doing by visiting the official website of the attempt: www.madmartin.co.za.
The snake room is under 24-hour camera surveillance, and people can follow his progress.
The park can be contacted on 012 253 5119.
'Mad Martin' snakes towards record