An Xtreme travel for children’s sake
This cycle tour was again organised and hosted by Matla A Bana, a non-profit organisation that pride itself to be the Voice against child abuse.
Nearly 15 hours before the cyclists dedicating their time and strength to tackle the Xtreme for Kids Cycle Tour, they were blessed and spiritually uplifted during the launch of the tour on Tuesday, 26 February.
This cycle tour was again organised and hosted by Matla A Bana, a non-profit organisation that pride itself on being the voice against child abuse.
A specialised section of the JB’s Corner restaurant at Clearwater Mall was packed with dedicated supporters of the tour, including top police members such as the Gauteng Provincial Commissioner of Police, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, who spent the remaining hours dining and chatting with the cyclists before they left on the tour from Johannesburg to Cape Town over an estimated distance of 1 400km.
The group of cyclists include Warrant Officer Gerrit Jonker from Saldanha Police Station, and Lieutenant Colonel André van Rooyen from Graaff Reinet who is a member of the Police’s National Cycling Team.
Monique Strydom, the CEO of the organisation, explained the purpose of this gruelling task. “The whole idea behind the tour is, as in the case of the previous ones, to create awareness of child rape in South Africa,” she said.
Clad in cycling gear with slogans condemning any form of child abuse, the cyclists will visit 14 schools along the way, mostly in rural areas to give safety talks about child abuse as well as entertain the learners with their mascot, Smiley, who is a child protection character.
The first school they visited on the first day of the cycling tour on 27 February happened to be Laerskool Randfontein on the West Rand.
Monique said Matla A Bana plans to reach more than 7000 children who each will receive a self-help Survivor Guide designed specifically for children who might not have access to therapy. “Members of the Police’s Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit will also join us at the school shows to assist with any reporting,” she said.
On the 11th day, after all the stops and with little rest, the cyclists will join the Cape Town Cycle Tour in the Western Cape over a stretch of 109km.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
