V&A Waterfront officially kicks off fundraising spinathon

CAPE TOWN - The V&A Waterfront has officially kicked off its fundraising spinathon, inviting Capetonians to cycle for a cause and help raise funds for two local cycling academies.

Around 400 Capetonians gathered at the V & A Waterfront to participate in the two-hour Cycle for Change challenge on Saturday.

The event aims to raise R1.2 million in support of the Velokhaya Life Cycling Academy and the Songezo Cycling Academy, which provide a safe space for young people in their communities.

The founder of the Songezo Cycling Academy, Songezo Jim, said taking part in this initiative has been an incredible experience.

“We are here at the event in Waterfront, Cycle for Change, held by Matrix [Fitness]. So, we’ve got 30 riders participating in the event. Everybody's super excited to be here. We got up early in the morning to get to the event on time, which we did.”

Beyond fundraising, the event also shone a light on the growing safety concerns faced by cyclists in Cape Town who are increasingly becoming targets of violent crime and road accidents.

Johnson Healthtech South Africa’s managing director, Zeyd Sulaiman, both academies will receive new bikes and cycling equipment, in addition to the funds raised.

“So, I think we’re estimating between three to four hundred people would have joined us by the end of the event today, which in my view is an amazing success, which so many people participated in and being a part of what we’re trying to put together today [Saturday].”