GQEBERHA – A 1 200km journey is underway as 19-year-old activist Mivuyo Qabo cycles for change from Gqeberha to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to raise awareness of gender-based violence (GBV) and child abuse.
Qabo, founder of the Mivuyo Qabo Foundation, launched his campaign titled Cycle for Change: Protect the Child, which will see him cycling across several parts of the country over the next week.
The journey forms part of his effort to draw national attention to the ongoing challenges faced by women and children affected by violence, while also encouraging communities to become more actively involved in prevention.
Originally from KuGompo City (previously known as East London) but now living in Gqeberha, Qabo said the campaign was inspired by the experiences of people around him.
“I’m not someone who has family who experienced GBV, but I do have friends who grew up in homes where violence was present,” he shared with the PE Express.
“When you look at the statistics, there are more men abusing women than women abusing men. That’s why I believe we need to start working with young people and changing the way boys grow up and view relationships.”
Qabo mentors young boys through discussions about social norms and healthy behaviour, encouraging them to reject violence and respect women.
He believes prevention must start early.
“With adults, there is often very little we can do to change behaviour, but if we work with the younger generation, we can start changing attitudes,” he said.
Qabo completed matric last year and is currently taking time to improve his results before pursuing further studies next year.
He relocated to Gqeberha in 2022 due to his mother’s work.
Although he is not a professional cyclist, Qabo has spent the past two months preparing physically for the demanding journey.
“I’ve been training at Metro Gym for endurance and stamina. I train about three to four times a week,” he shared.
The ride will not be easy, he admitted, but the challenge itself carries symbolic meaning.
“The 1 200km journey represents the pain and struggles people go through every day when they experience GBV. It’s a way of showing that the fight against violence is long and difficult.”
The campaign was originally scheduled to start on Wednesday (11 March) but had to be delayed to Monday (16 March) when a bicycle sponsor withdrew support.
Despite the setback, Qabo remains determined to complete the journey.
The route will take him through Port Alfred, KuGompo City and Komani before continuing towards Pretoria.
While his initial plan was to complete the ride alone, five additional cyclists have since offered to join him along parts of the route.
Qabo hopes to reach the Union Buildings around Human Rights Day, where he plans to hand over a memorandum to the Presidential Office calling for stronger action and greater protection for women and children.
However, he shared that completing the journey safely remains the priority.
“This is not a race. If it takes longer than planned, even a month, the message is still the most important part,” he said.
The Mivuyo Qabo Foundation was established in 2022 after he organised a boy-child seminar at his former high school in the Eastern Cape.
Since then, the group has hosted mentoring sessions and carried out small charity initiatives, including donating clothing and hygiene packs to those in need.
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