As the 2024 Nedbank Tour de Great Dyke rapidly approaches, the Mimosa Cycling Club has confirmed its readiness to participate in the three-day charity cycling event, set to take place from November 7-9.
The annual tour, launched by YA FM in 2016, has gained significant popularity over the years, attracting cyclists from various sectors, including mining companies like Mimosa, Unki, and Zimplats. The event not only promotes wellness and fitness but also fosters a spirit of community by raising funds for underprivileged yet talented children.
Edson Mahaye, the captain of the Mimosa Cycling Club, expressed his team’s excitement about the upcoming challenge.
“We are looking forward to having a great time on the road, just like last year. The tour gives us the chance to explore several towns and cities within the Great Dyke while enjoying breathtaking views along the way,” he said.
The 328-kilometer journey will take cyclists from Selous to Zvishavane, traversing Zimbabwe’s renowned Great Dyke region, known for its picturesque landscapes and vibrant mining communities. Mahaye revealed that some members of the Mimosa team will join the main group at the starting point in Selous, while others will participate in the Mimosa Lap, which begins from Unki Mine, ensuring broad participation across the different laps of the tour.
Mahaye also highlighted the health benefits of cycling, encouraging more people to embrace the sport.
“The tour not only promotes fitness but also fosters community spirit by giving back to charitable causes,” Mahaye added.
One such beneficiary of the tour’s proceeds is the Gifted Children Foundation, which has celebrated remarkable academic achievements among the students it supports. Emily Hwengwere, the foundation’s coordinator, praised the organization’s impact in helping students excel at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels.
“So far, we have supported around 105 students returning to school, both at primary and secondary levels. Among them, several have completed A-levels, O-levels, and even university degrees,” Hwengwere said, elaborating on the foundation’s success stories, including a radiographer who earned a degree from the University of Zimbabwe and later pursued a master’s in radiography.
With over three hundred cyclists expected to take to the road for the gruelling tour this year, the Nedbank Tour de Great Dyke promises to be an exciting and impactful event, promoting wellness, business opportunities, and transforming the lives of underprivileged children.
