One of the organisers of the Mpondo Cultural and Heritage Festival, Princess Stella Sigcau II, has confirmed that the Mzinduku Youth Development Cycling Club will cycle from Phuthi, near Ntsizwa Mountain, to Lwandlolubomvu Great Place in Matshona Village, Ntabankulu.
The cycling event will take place from 13 to 14 September, as part of the festival’s celebrations this weekend.
Princess Sigcau said the initiative aims to raise awareness about pressing issues such as gender-based violence (GBV), substance abuse (including drug abuse and trafficking), femicide, child and women abuse, child and human trafficking, rape, and other forms of abuse that undermine fundamental human rights.
“These issues also include cultural practices like forced marriages which have been hijacked by criminal elements.
“This theme will be central throughout the festival, including the Reed Dance, where maidens will be educated about these societal ills and atrocities. Additionally, an empowerment session will be held for young males and boys in the communities to educate them about these issues, how to protect themselves, and how to avoid becoming perpetrators.
“The session will also address the psychological impact and effects of these practices, their influence on societies and communities, self-esteem, and positive initiatives to empower young people without subjecting them to harm,” said Princess Sigcau.
In the same spirit, on 12 September 2025, a session will be organised at Ntsikayezwe Senior Secondary School in Ntabankulu through the Khuthaza Ukufunda Initiative, in partnership with the South African Royal Princesses Network and the Mathli Foundation.
This session will focus on the same issues and will also serve to motivate matric students as they prepare for their final examinations.
Princess Sigcau added that these events are among the activities leading up to the Mpondo Festival.
The cycling club, comprising over 400 youth cyclists from the Mpondo Kingdom, is part of an organisation that operates in Mbizana and extends outreach to rural areas in the Eastern Cape, working to promote positive life choices and personal development through:
• Participation in grassroots sports and recreational activities, including cycling, ladies’ football, and tug-of-war;
• Performing arts, poetry, and cultural activities;
• Basic computer skills and entrepreneurial initiatives;
• Tourism youth leadership camps and programmes addressing social challenges.
Princess Sigcau noted that their analysis and informal interactions with youth from rural and disadvantaged communities highlighted the critical need for sports as a vehicle for development.
Amampondo King Silosohlanga kaDakhile Sigcau, from Lwandlolubomvu Great Place, addressed the critical issue of GBV, saying: “GBV is a pervasive issue in South Africa, affecting countless individuals and communities. It is a violation of human rights, a threat to dignity, and a barrier to equality. We must work together to challenge the norms and attitudes that perpetuate GBV and create a culture of respect, empathy, and understanding.
“The impact of GBV is far-reaching, causing physical, emotional, and psychological harm to survivors. It is essential that we provide support and resources to those affected, while also holding perpetrators accountable for their actions. By doing so, we can create a safer and more just society for all.”
