{"id":298717,"date":"2026-03-16T09:28:42","date_gmt":"2026-03-16T07:28:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/?p=298717"},"modified":"2026-03-16T09:33:17","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T07:33:17","slug":"stellenbosch-university-lecturer-again-trades-lecture-hall-for-the-saddle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/districtmailhelderberg\/stellenbosch-university-lecturer-again-trades-lecture-hall-for-the-saddle\/","title":{"rendered":"Stellenbosch University lecturer again trades lecture hall for the saddle"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Dr Marietjie Lutz, a first-year Stellenbosch University (SU)<\/a> chemistry lecturer, is back peddling for a purpose, this time to raise funds for students in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But this time she is tackling the 2026 Absa Cape Epic<\/a>, a gruelling 707 km ride of \u201craw wilderness\u201d and 15 900 m of climbing from Sunday 15 to Sunday 22 March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt will be tough,” she said, it will be a beast”, but we are excited and we are ready!\u201d She and cycling partner Juanita Kruger departed from Meerendal Wine Estate in Durbanville on Sunday 15 March for the prologue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Dr
Dr Marietjie Lutz (left) and her Absa Cape Epic teammate Juanita Kruger, a Somerset West cancer survivor who marks 10 years in remission this year.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Kilometres for a cause<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The full-time lecturer and mother of four meets the demands of this premier mountain bike race by riding at 05:00 during the week. Her daughter, Isabel, a in Grade 12 learner at Ho\u00ebr Meisieskool Bloemhof, often joins her on the morning rides as support and motivation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lutz also spends up to 10 hours on the bicycle on weekends. Fortunately, this challenge is a \u201cteam effort\u201d and her family pitches in where needed if mom has to train.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lutz is no stranger to cycling for a good cause, having twice ridden 600 km from George to Cape Town as part of the Wheels of Opportunity \u2013 WOOP initiative. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The idea of WOOP was born in 2022, when she discovered one of her students faced homelessness because of financial need, yet was still achieving academically. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She decided to support financially struggling BSc undergraduate students through a fundraising cycling challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year Lutz will once again support the Maties #Move4Food initiative through WOOP, and she hopes to raise at least R100 000 for students in need. Last year WOOP surpassed its target, raising R180 000 in total over the past two years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: US-dosent trap fiets om studente te help<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Celebrating milestones<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Turning 50 last year Lutz said the Epic is the ideal way to celebrate this milestone; by celebrating life and giving back to those who need it most. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It won\u2019t be the first time she tackles this highlight on the MTB calendar. Having completed it in 2016 and 2017, this third race will grant her membership of Amaubesi, the Absa Cape Epic Finisher Club. Amabubesi means \u201cpride of lions\u201d in Zulu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kruger, Lutz\u2019s cycling partner, is also celebrating an important milestone \u2013 being 10 years cancer-free. A theatre nurse from Somerset West, Kruger will also become a member of the Amabubesi when the two complete the course on 22 March. \u201cI cannot think of someone better to do this with than her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Lutz
Lutz will tackle her third Absa Cape Epic for her WOOP initiative, raising funds for Maties students in need of financial aid.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Changing lives<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For Lutz the challenge once again allows her to combine her love of cycling with a good cause. She shared that the student her WOOP initiative helped last year is now in her final year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As one of the so-called \u201cmissing middle\u201d students who did not qualify for government funding Lutz\u2019s support enabled her to register for her studies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blessed Muyanga, the student who inspired the WOOP fundraiser four years ago, graduates from SU this month. \u201cIt is important to not just focus on yourself, but to make a contribution, no matter how small, to someone else\u2019s future,\u201d says Lutz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Fietsers trap om geld in te samel<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the iconic race well underway, Lutz admits that there are some nerves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGrowth rarely happens in the comfort zone. Challenges like the Cape Epic push you physically and mentally, but when you are riding for something bigger than yourself, the motivation becomes stronger than the discomfort.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n