The MCC MASI 750 Sports Club is expanding into cycling at Ukhanyo Primary School. Tim Mosdell of the Bicycling Empowerment Network (BEN) handed over 22 bicycles to head of department Sello Matloporo on Friday 20^th October at the school assembly, on behalf of a collaboration of NGOs, including Masicorp, BEN and the following partners: Rotary Club of Claremont; Pedal Power Association (PPA); Qhubeka; #Bike4All (a joint PPA BEN initiative); Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust (CTCTT) and Pedal for Peace.

It was probably the most memorable assemblies of the year ending with teachers, coaches and learners riding around the quad in celebration.

The Claremont Rotary Club have given a generous donation to both the MCC Masi 750 Sports Club and the Songezo Cycling Academy based at Chasmay Road Campus. They have further provided funding to support the required cycle training for Ukhanyo coaches and learners, after exams and during the holidays.

Tim Mosdell of Ben Bikes spoke at the school assembly saying

“We would like to thank Ukhanyo Primary for hosting this very special event where a fleet of 22 bicycles has been handed over in support of the establishment of a cycling club at the school. In particular, we would like to thank Sello Matloporo, the sports coaches, and all the learners for all their efforts in setting the groundwork for this project.

We would also like to acknowledge the role that MasiCorp has played in facilitating access to the school and community.

While this is a significant step in empowering learners through the use of bicycles, there is a lot more to come in terms of ensuring the sustainability of the project. Some of these activities include:

• Providing bike maintenance training to the cycling club,
• Running the “Cool Kid on a Bike” cycling safety program,
• Running cycling related holiday programs at the school,
• Providing more bicycles to the club as the club expands.

We are really pleased to be working in such a collaborative way with such a vibrant and enthusiastic community, and look forward to a very strong relationship going forward. Together we can make a huge impact in this community. We urge the learners at the school to get involved in the cycling club and the other sporting initiatives at the school and to have FUN!”

The Cycle Club is being geared to start its journey after training at the end of the 4^th term. Take off will be in 2018.