Raising funds for battling students

AFTER cycling a gruelling 600km over six days with a torn hip labrum and the support of her four children – including her youngest, a 12-year-old – Dr Marietjie Lutz, a first-year chemistry lecturer at Stellenbosch University (SU), is closing in on her target of raising R60000 to help undergraduate students facing financial challenges.

The fund-raiser was inspired by one of Lutz’s former first-year students, Blessed Muyanga, who despite financial and personnal challenges managed to pass first-year with an above 75% average.

“He showed true grit,” said Lutz. His dedication to pursue his studies despite adversity spurred her to embark on the “Wheels of Opportunity” initiative to help other students in similar circumstances.

Muyanga said he was delighted that Lutz completed the challenge.

“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you. My situation pushed me to be strong and to look to God for inspiration. Having you and my small circle of friends helped me to get this far and I will remain eternally grateful.”

Lutz was joined on her ride from George to Stellenbosch by her sons and daughter. The eldest, Ben, 20, cycled 600km to raise R10 000, her daughter, Isabel, 15, a learner at Hoër Meisieskool Bloemhof, cycled 500km to raise R5 000 while her youngest, Daniël, who is at Laerskool Eikestad, cycled 200km to raise R2 000. The second eldest, Jan, 18, drove the back-up van for the journey.

Her husband, Daniël, was responsible for the planning and mapping of the route, which included travelling on gravel roads through Oudtshoorn, Calitzdorp, Riversdal, Swellendam and Greyton to Stellenbosch.

“We travelled on roads one would not otherwise see if travelling by car.”

The family encountered several challenges during the ride, including a close encounter with an energetic kudu, a broken derailleur gear unit, multiple mountain passes adding to the more than 1 000m of climbing every day, temperatures of more than 40°C and strong headwinds.

On the decision to do the ride, Lutz said: “I love mountain biking and I love my students, so this was a good way to combine both.”

Having her family with her for parts of the journey added to the experience and she is particularly proud of the younger two for clocking up their kilometres for a good cause.

But the feat would not have been possible without the support of her family, and local businesses such as Flandria Cycles that serviced their bicycles, Adventureshop that helped with the route mapping and Eendracht Hotel and Apartments were also on board sponsoring the back-up van and accommodation along the route.

Dad is already planning next year’s fund-raising cycle, said Lutz.

“We hope that this initiative serves as an example to other academics, staff and students who may want to do something similar.”

Newly appointed dean of the Faculty of Science, Professor Burtram Fielding, commended Lutz on her initiative. “I am sure this, and the story of Blessed, will inspire other students to find ways to help fund their studies. I am also impressed with Dr Lutz’s efforts to tackle 600 km for this worthy cause. She has already raised over R38 000 and now she needs our help to get over the R60000 target.”

To support the initiative, people can donate through the GivenGain platform.

For those interested in participating or supporting the cause in any alternative manner, contact Lutz directly at mlutz@sun.ac.za

THE cycling family on top of Rooiberg Pass.