Academy pupils cycle to arrive at better lives

PUPILS from the Velokhaya Life Cycling Academy were thrilled to be part of the Cape Town Cycle Tour yesterday.

“Its such a nice vibe and we get to experience all the action,” Benjamin Scheider, 16, said. This is Scheider’s second time cycling in the tour.

“I’m really interested in cycling and this is such a great experience because we have the opportunity to meet cyclists who can teach us new things,” Bongani Bokwe said.

Supermarket giant Pick n Pay recently started a partnership with the Velokhaya Life Cycle Academy, a non-profit organisation which is based in Khayelitsha.

The academy focuses on giving children from disadvantaged communities the skills they need to make a success of their lives.

The academy encourages youngsters to get off the streets and get on to a bicycle and spend their afternoons at the BMX track.

And every year, a platoon of cyclists from Velokhaya cycle the tour together to thank Pick n Pay for their support.

“This is such an amazing day for all the cyclists, and for me this really represents the essence of South Africa. All of us coming together as one.

“It’s really incredible,” said founder and owner of the Pick n Pay chain, Raymond Ackerman.

He added that the country had a phenomenal future ahead.

“I believe that with young people, if we all work together and believe in each other, there is nothing that will stop us.

“But we have to start trusting one another, that’s the most important part,” Ackerman said.

‘ITS SUCH A NICE VIBE... AND WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET CYCLISTS WHO CAN TEACH US NEW THINGS’