The generosity of cyclists from Germany has emboldened the community of Gugulethu in more than one way.
Two hundred bicycles collected in Germany by a non-governmental organisation,Happy Face-Cape Town, were finally delivered to deserving recipients last week after months of waiting.
The Guguletu-based NY Qiqa Cycling Academy, which was established in 2019 working with a German donor finally realised their dream when a ship carrying 200 bicycles in a container finally docked at Cape Town harbour last week.
Academy founder, Bulelani Max Jodo, said he was very excited to receive the donation and said it would strengthen their cycling efforts.
“I have been cycling in Gugulethu for ages and the young boys wanted to emulate what I do, there were less bicycles then but somehow we managed to pull through,” he said.
He started to notice there are other mature riders in the streets of Gugulethu and invited them to have organised rides during weekends, taking along the young boys. After a couple of rides he decided to make this a formal organisation with the assistance of his partner, Thembakazi Ngadlela.
They named it NY Qiqa – Qiqa being the youngest boy rider in that period, with the aim of not only concentrating on cycling but also mind power, for the young ones to be wise boys and girls.
NY Qiqa Academy secretary, Phumeza ‘Lady P’ Bobotyana, said the group has grown in leapxs and bounds and it will thrive trough partnerships like these.
“We thank Happy Face-Cape Town for their support in galvanising support internationally for our cause. We need to develop cycling development activities and education as we are not only about cycling but community building, welfare of the society and promoting healthy living through cycling,” said Ms Bobotyana.
Gugulethu Sports Council chairman, Nceba Sandlana, welcomed the donation, saying it will strengthen community endeavours in combating crime.
“We got 200 bicycles through NY Qiqa Academy via Happy Face-Cape Town and through that generous support we will hand over 20 to the Gugulethu Neighbourhood Watch,” said Mr Sandlana.
Accepting the 20 bikes on behalf of Gugulethu Neighbourhood Watch, Sindile Falteni, said he was excited and hoped that more organisations would contribute towards their organisation.
Fifteen PSIRA certificates were handed over to neighbourhood watch candidates who underwent training through Prosec Security to obtain full security licences.
Happy Face-Cape Town co-ordinator, Jurgen Ehlers, said he was thrilled to be part of the handover ceremony because it “ was symbolic”.
“Each bicycle we collected represents a personal story. We are pleased to know each bicycle will go to a deserving individual,” said Mr Ehlers.
For more information about NY Qiqa, call 082 994 7462.
