A group of 10 enthusiastic young cyclists from Soweto, dubbed the ‘Soweto 10’, are determined to bring diversity and inclusivity to the sport by connecting people through a shared love for the sport, following a six-and-a-half-day bike ride to the Drakensberg in the Old Mutual go2berg race.
Thando Ngwenya, a WordPress developer and one of the Soweto 10, says that in addition to the joy and freedom that cycling brings him, his goal is not only to build a cycling career, but to pay it forward by making it possible for more young, aspiring Soweto cyclists to ride after their dreams.
“I realised here in the township there’s a huge gap, especially in sports like cycling, so I want to get as much experience through as many cycling events as possible to be able to teach the sport to kids in Soweto, allowing them to build the sport further,” says Ngwenya.
Ngwenya was joined by Siyabonga Ntsele, a professional cyclist from the Soweto 10 who has been cycling since he was a teen. Now in his twenties and pursuing cycling as a career, Ntsele says he hopes to help make cycling safer and more accessible to others in Soweto.
“Having a cycling park designated for cyclists in Soweto would be a great thing for us,” he says. “Riders use the old mine dump, but it is not safe especially with the illegal miners who are often there. They rob us, so we have to use alternative routes for training, or leave Soweto entirely.”
Both Ngwenya and Ntsele represent SowetoRocks, a mountain biking club established by explorer and cycling enthusiast, Busi Msimango. “Cycling is about connecting people. Where else could a 20-year-old Soweto local get to ride a 600 or 900km race alongside the CEO of Old Mutual?” she says.
Msimango left a successful corporate career to start the club and provide people who would not normally have access to cycling opportunities with a place to call their own. Her goal is to build a dedicated bike park in Soweto where everyone can ride safely, encouraging more people in Soweto to participate in and appreciate the sport.
And while the cost of participating is often what makes cycling events inaccessible to those without financial means to enter, Msimango and the rest of the Soweto 10 were able to participate through Old Mutual Go2Berg and contributions made by individuals who support SowetoRocks. These special individuals made sure the team was financially ready to get the starting line and back to Johannesburg once the race is done. The Soweto10 looked ready and professional in their Vuma Cycling kit, thanks to sponsorships from fibre provider, Vuma.
“We are amazed by Busi’s fantastic work with #SowetoRocks for the youth. At Vuma, we constantly strive to make a difference in our communities, especially for the young people. We want to inspire our youth to take on challenges like those the Soweto 10 have,” says Taylor Kwong, CSI and marketing manager at Vuma. “Promoting diversity and inclusivity in sport ensures more youth are able to participate, reach their potential, and create brighter futures for themselves in the process. Vuma strives to equip more youth in underserved communities with the necessary resources and support, and by doing so, we can break down barriers and make cycling a more accessible and equitable sport for all.”
For more information about Soweto Rocks and the Soweto 10, contact Busi Msimango at southsky@outlook.com, and visit www.vumatel.co.za to find out about the other community-based initiatives that Vuma supports.