Bikers for Mandela Day gear up for the big ride
5 July 2011
4 July, 2011 – Today some 20 motorcycle fanatics (members of the Bikers for Mandela Day contingent) met at the Nelson Mandela Foundation to discuss the rally route, the ethos of Mandela Day and safety precautions involved in this year’s Bikers for Mandela Day event.
Zelda La Grange with some of this year’s riders
With Nelson Mandela’s Executive Assistant of over 17 years, Zelda la Grange, at the helm, the event forms an integral part of the annual Mandela Day activities. The focus is on spreading the ethos of Mandela Day throughout South Africa. This year the eight-day route traverses Gauteng, the Free State, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumulanga, with a crossover through Swaziland.
The focus of the initiative is active participation by all who attend, thereby taking forward Mr Mandela’s living legacy of doing good to inspire change in others’ lives.
As was the case with the 2010 Bikers for Mandela Day trip, this year’s group of between 23 - 26 riders and 15 support staff will visit community projects along the route, devoting 67 minutes of their time to activities that will leave a lasting and sustainable impact on their beneficiaries.
“For many the trip is a personal commitment to taking forward Mandela Day, and demonstrating that it is possible to Make Everyday a Mandela Day,” la Grange noted. “Each biker will contribute their skills throughout the trip. We’ve got a vet coming this year who is tasked with educating rural communities about the proper care for animals, especially Nguni cattle, which could yield a sustainable future for many rural farmers.”
With Vodacom and Spar as main sponsors, the Bikers for Mandela Day will depart from Montecasino, Johannesburg, on July 11. Their eight-day ride will end in Pretoria on July 18– Mandela Day.
The planned route activities include:
• revamping of rural playgrounds for young children;
• planting of trees and shrubs at the site near Howick where Mr Mandela was captured on August 5, 1962;
• developing vegetable gardens and working in soup kitchens serving food; and
• helping build suitable housing, refurbish orphanages and community safe houses.
Members of the public are encouraged to follow the Bikers progress and to issue messages of support on Twitter (@Bikers4MandelaD) and to keep a lookout for branded bikes buzzing through their town.
