Riding has always been synonymous with freedom – especially when one rides for fun as opposed to professional competitions. In South Africa, there is – arguably – no name that is more synonymous with freedom as that of struggle icon Nelson Mandela. For that reason, it therefore seems apt to honour Nelson Mandela’s Centenary Celebration with a bicycle ride.
The Nelson Mandela Legacy RIDE4HOPE is one of many events mandated by the Nelson Mandela Foundation to mark the centenary commemoration of South Africa’s first democratically elected president. The Nelson Mandela Legacy RIDE4HOPE will create a platform to carry Mandela’s message of hope as it cuts across two provinces; from Vilakazi Street in Soweto (Gauteng) to the Nelson Mandela Capture Site in Howick (KwaZulu-Natal). The 554km ride will start on the 28th of August and finish on the 31st of the same month. Entries are open to all interested parties, and proceeds made from the event will be donated to the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
When Nelson Mandela died in 2013, he had championed numerous charitable initiatives since his release from Robben Island in 1990. He raised funds for schemes dealing with Aids, education, children and rural development. These initiatives have ensured that the Mandela legacy lives on. Today, most of these philanthropic initiatives are channelled through the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
Mgcinisihlalo Jordan, Deputy Chief Executive, Deloitte Africa
During the four-day ride, cyclists will make scheduled overnight stops in Standerton, Newcastle and Ladysmith before reaching the final destination in Howick. At these bivouacs, both riders and the crew will have the opportunity to get involved in a number of community upliftment activities. Mandela, who was a strong proponent on acts of generosity, once remarked that “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”
Tourism KZN, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Phindile Makwakwa
For more information on The Nelson Mandela Legacy RIDE4HOPE, go to www.legacyride4hope.com
