Hoping to raise R500 000, the tour leader is Mr Hans Mooren. The tour will end on Friday, 17 October 2003, when they will be hosted by the Mayor of Soweto, at the Soweto Children's Home.
In her send-off message Minister Witbooi said the cyclists are an inspiration to all in Western Cape government and the tourism industry. "If more of us cycled through our poor communities and experienced tourism in rural areas, more of us will understand what we mean by sustainable development, by empowering people through tourism and by creating jobs."
"If more of our people would be less critical, would say less and do more, we would be able to address our own needs. You do not live in this country, but you said let us not talk, but do something. Your commitment deserves admiration."
The cyclists will cycle an average of 90 km's per day. They will stay over in home-stays and be exposed to community-based tourism experiences, "beyond the bus-window". On Saturday, 4 October, they will join many South African cyclists in the annual 50 km Eden Challenge between Oudtshoorn and George.
Leader of the cycle tour, Mr Hans Mooren, invited cyclists from the respective communities to participate in the tour at any stage.
The route is as follows:
Monday, 29 Sept: Cape Town to Stellenbosch
Tuesday, 30 Sept: Stellenbosch to Goudini Spa
Wednesday, 1 Oct: Goudini Spa to Montagu
Thursday, 2 Oct: Montagu to Barrydale
Friday, 3 Oct: Barrydale to Calitzdorp
Saturday, 4 Oct: Calitzdorp to Oudtshoorn
Sunday, 5 Oct: Oudtshoorn to De Rust
Monday, 6 Oct: De Rust to Willowmore
Tuesday, 7 Oct: Willowmore to Uniondale
Wednesday, 8 Oct: Uniondale to Graaff-Reinet
Thursday, 9 Oct: Graaff-Reinet to Middelburg
Friday, 10 Oct: Middelburg to Gariep Dam
Saturday, 11 Oct: Gariep Dam to Edenberg
Sunday, 12 Oct: Edenberg to Bloemfontein
Monday, 13 Oct: Bloemfontein
Tuesday, 14 Oct: Bloemfontein to Allemanskraal Dam
Wednesday, 15 Oct: Allemanskraal Dam to Kroonstad
Thursday, 16 Oct: Kroonstad to Riverside
Friday, 17 Oct: Riverside to Soweto
Among the beneficiaries of the fundraising event, is a Cape Town wire artist, known as Yellow, Rain's Pub in Zwelethemba near Worcester, Strandvelders in Stilbaai, the Garden Route homestay, Bridgeton Junior School in Oudtshoorn and the Khayamandi Trust Centre.
For info on the Hans Mooren Cycle Tour, contact Elsabeth Muller, cell: 083 703 3202
Issued by: Western Cape Ministry of Tourism and Gambling
For more information: Hélène Rossouw, cell: 082 771 8834
