For most of the 95 cyclists who took part in the Nelson Mandela Legacy Ride4Hope Tour, it was the first time being in the Eastern Cape. Viewing the region by bike and connecting with its people was unimaginable.
This year the tour covered 450km from Pietermaritzburg to Qunu to raise money for schools in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, in honour of the late statesman and namesake.
The Ride4Hope tour spanned four days, from September 4 to 7.
Ride4Hope Foundation chairman, Thabo Leeuw, said the tour had a different route, but the same promise, if not bigger, of delivering life-improving community projects along its path.
A tour partner, Rompco General Manager for Commercial and Stakeholder Management, Motlokwe Sebake said,
Speaking to Mthatha Express following the tour, Ride4Hope Director of Operations, Luthando Kaka, said R6 million was raised through the tour, and two schools would receive classrooms. Other contributions included an IT lab and refurbishment, fencing, and a play area in Mthatha. In Kokstad, an assembly area will be constructed.
“For most cyclists, this was their first time in the Eastern Cape, and to view the region by bike and connect with its people was unimaginable. The hills in the region were, however, brutal.
“We think local government can play a bigger role in encouraging and supporting events that bring people to the Eastern Cape. The region is untapped with regard to events of this magnitude, and we think public-private partnerships can achieve a lot more for the region,” Kaka said.
However, putting the event together was no easy task.
“The event takes up to 10 months to organise. This starts with lobbying riders and getting sponsors right up to the actual execution. The event is a logistical challenge; merging the ride and beneficiary element, of course, is always going to be challenging, but for a ride that started with the donation of school shoes to where we are now, we are extremely grateful to everyone who has supported the initiative,” Kaka concluded.
