Pedalling Together Towards a Safer, Healthier and Better Future

The importance of education and living a healthy lifestyle inspired young cyclists of the 2013 Nedbank Sports Trusts Development Programme to confidently enter the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour this year.

At an official handover at the Phoenix Secondary School in Manenberg on Friday (22 February 2013), about 165 learners from 13 disadvantaged schools on the Cape Flats and Boland areas each walked away with a cycling kit, while 60 bicycles were donated to their schools.

The programme is a result of a partnership between Nedbank and The Sports Trust, supported by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport. By investing in young cyclists, the programme aims to create opportunities for them to participate in competitions and, in the process, deliver future cycling champions. Speaking at the handover, the Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Dr Ivan Meyer praised the programme, saying it is a great initiative to invest in developing cyclists. He stressed the importance of education and a healthy and safe lifestyle.

"The front wheel of the bicycle represents the teacher, the back wheel the learner, the chain the books you must read and the saddle your seat at school. The front wheel leads, the back wheel follows, the chain holds the front and back parts of the bicycle together, the handlebars give direction and there will be no movement unless someone is in the saddle to pedal.” Dr Meyer told the children.

Dr Meyer encouraged the cyclists to remain in their seat at school for as long as possible, and to listen and follow the lead of the teacher. “Read and study your books and keep your hand steady on the handlebars of your life," he motivated them.

Meaningful partnerships are important to the Department. Mr Max Jordaan of The Sports Trust emphasised the inspirational slogan: “Through sport, we create opportunities for all”, by saying he is confident the programme is playing a positive role for both the cyclists and their communities.

The handover and the opportunity to participate in the largest individually timed cycling event in the world brought joy to many cyclists of the programme. Chadwin Jutzen of Phoenix Secondary School says it is a “dream come true” to pedal in the Cycle Tour. “We are just grateful for the role the programme is playing in our lives, and for stirring us to dream big. We just want to make our schools and communities proud by inspiring others to also get involved in cycling,” he said.

Ms Mary Horn, who came all the way from De Doorns, thanked the partners who worked together to give her son (Adrian) an opportunity to look forward to a better future as he gears up for the Cycle Tour.