MAKING A LIVING WITH MY SUPERBIKE

NGOBENI’S CREATION STUNS PEOPLE

THE shortage of jobs, coupled with poverty, have driven a Limpopo man to come up with a creative idea to make money to support his family.

Richard Ngobeni from Blinkwater village near Giyani earns a living by exhibiting his bicycle to curious onlookers who pay to look at the artistic creations on his bicycle, which he calls a motorbike. On a good day, Ngobeni makes up to R150. The 45-year-old rides around the province showcasing his bicycle to people.

Cardboard boxes, plastic bags, wires and bottle containers create a roof for his bicycle, which attracts attention as he rides it through the streets.

The items also protect him from the elements during his travels.

Ngobeni’s bicycle has side mirrors and solar torches at the front and back, which illuminate his path at night. Reflectors pasted at the back and front help him to be visible to motorists.

He has also made storage space to keep his clothes, blanket and food to eat.

Sowetan caught up with him while he was travelling from his home in Blinkwater to Polokwane, a distance of about 170km.

Ngobeni was on his way to the provincial capital to showcase his bicycle and hoped to make a killing.

“I used to work at a farm, but when I lost my job two years ago I decided to do something to support my sickly mother and sixyear-old son,” he said.

Ngobeni said when he feels tired during his long travels, he ties his bicycle to a pole along the road and sleeps on it.

The noise and lights from passing vehicles do not stop him from taking a nap.

Asked if he was not worried that cars might plough into him, Ngobeni said: “I sleep at any spot near the road when I get tired. I don’t fear anything because I believe that God is with me.”

A trip between his village and Polokwane takes Ngobeni two days, but says that were it not for people who stop him on the road it would take him a day.

As he mounts for the three hours on the steep hills of Magoebaskloof, Ngobeni plays Zimbabwean-born artist Joseph Zozo Mbiza’s song

Vhomasindi from the music system installed on his “bike”.

Upon his arrival at a local shopping centre, people take photos with him and give him money before he gets moving again.

Ngobeni is heading to Botlokwa and Louis Trichardt before going back home.

PHOTOS: SANDILE NDLOVU ON THE MOVE: Richard Ngobeni cycles from Blinkwater village in Giyani to Polokwane to make money from exhibiting his bicycle

SPECTACLE: The framed front of the bicycle outside Limpopo Mall in Polokwane

SOURCE OF INTEREST: People take photos of the curious bicycle in Polokwane

TIRED BUT MOVING: Richard Ngobeni pushes his ‘motorbike’ on the R71 road as night falls