“I’m so excited and grateful to be one of the fortunate leaners who have received a bicycle today, this is really going to change my life in a positive way.”
Thulani Mkhwanazi, a 17-year-old Grade 11 learner from Selelekela High School in Orlando East, Soweto, will no longer have to walk 7km daily to get to school now that he has received a bicycle.
This all thanks to the City of Johannesburg’s Transport Department, in partnership with Qhubeka, who donated 125 bicycles to Selelekela High School and local CPF members this week at the Orlando Community Hall.
“It used to take me 30 minutes to walk to school but now that I have a bicycle I am happy that it’s going to take me 10 minutes to get school. I don’t have to worry about being late for classes anymore.”
For many learners like Thulani, the bicycles will help them reach school faster and more safely, boosting their attendance through increased mobility.
The jovial teenager added that he will now have an opportunity to attend extramural activities and Saturday classes.
The objective of the partnership between Qhubeka and the City is aligned to Joburg’s goals of sustainable development and Qhubeka’s vision of building communities of excellence powered by bicycles. The bicycles will also assist members of the CPF with patrols, bolstering safety and security in and around Orlando.
Learners who are part of the programme contribute R120 per annum which goes towards the support for bicycle safety and maintenance provided by local mechanics. The mechanics are trained by Bhoni 4 Kasi, an organisation which seeks to empower young people through bicycle repair training, cycling lessons and grow the awareness of cycling as a mode of transport in townships.
The Transport Department’s Executive Head, Lisa Seftel, said: “With each bicycle distribution the City and Qhubeka conduct, we are able to improve mobility and access to basic needs as well as social and economic opportunities for our residents.
“Cycling is a meaningful mode of transport as it improves fitness and health for our residents and further assist in breaking down barriers and advancing social cohesion,” added Seftel.
Over the past financial year, the City has successfully distributed bicycles with the aim of transforming Johannesburg by advancing affordable, safe and sustainable public transportation.
