Bonga paddles for cycle development
Cyclists ride for upliftment
Bonga Ngqobane gathered 40 cyclists from as far Nigeria and other areas of South Africa for a fundraising cycle that started in Khayelitsha last week.
Image: Staff Reporter
The Black Unity Bike Ride (BUBR) made waves last week when more 40 cyclists took off from Khayelitsha and climbed the scenic Chapman's Peak in a fund-raising drive.
Organiser Bonga Ngqobane said it was an unforgettable experience for all those involved. He said there were 36 international cyclists from as far as Nigeria, Uganda and the UK who came to support the BURB initiative known as Isokan, a word from the Yoruba language meaning "doing as one".
Also 15 cyclists from Khayelitsha joined the ride. South Africa's top rider Brandon Downes came to support the event.
Ngqobane said the Isokan collective has supported black led cycling initiatives within the UK since 2020 where it exclusively focused there but now has spread to Canada, Germany, Ghana, UAE, USA, Rwanda, SA, Jamaica and Nigeria.
Ngqobane said the 10-day cycling ride raised funds for Bonga Cycling Academy and Khaltsha Cycles.
Khayelitsha Sports Council chairman Thembile Gamzana praised Ngqobane for his ability to inspire and uplift others, especially through his work."His work with the Bonga.org Cycling Academy, speaks volumes about his dedication and vision," said Gamzana.