From the 20th to the 23rd of September 2023, the annual ‘Legacy Ride4Hope’ will embark on its 550-kilometre cycling journey starting at Nelson Mandela’s former home on Vilakazi Street in Soweto, Gauteng, and finishing at Nelson Mandela’s Capture Site in Howick, KwaZulu-Natal. This year’s edition will see over 80 cyclists from all walks of life joining hands to raise funds and awareness for the Nelson Mandela Foundation and towards building classrooms in underfunded schools.
As an official Nelson Mandela International Day initiative, the Legacy Ride4Hope started in 2018. This year, the initiative aims to encourage social cohesion and alleviate overcrowding in schools by building “Classrooms4Hope” in underfunded schools.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual event hosted a virtual challenge that was embraced by different sporting codes that came together towards the common goal of raising funds for the work the Nelson Mandela Foundation does. This was supported by the Blue Bulls Rugby, Lions Rugby, Lions Cricket, Nedbank Running Club, celebrated personalities and others who came together to raise funds amounting to R2.6 Million.
“We are pleased to be hosting our fifth annual tour and fundraising effort in aid of various community initiatives, with our focus this year being education, we hope this encourages more people to lend a helping hand where they can and continue in the spirit of Nelson Mandela,” said Ride4hope Chairman, Mr Thabo Leeuw.
“The theme for this year’s Nelson Mandela International Day has been Climate, Food & Solidarity. The Legacy Ride4Hope initiative is a powerful symbol of what we can accomplish when we work together in solidarity towards a more equitable future” - Gushwell Brooks, Head of Nelson Mandela Day at the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
This year, the event reached capacity within a month of officially opening entries. This year’s ride is made possible by the participants and communities that welcome us and by the generous donations made by our partners in ABSA, ATC South Africa, ROMPCO, Hulamin, Thesele Group, Umgeni Water, Bluu Car Rental and many others that have pledged support.
Please visit www.legacyride4hope.com for more information about the initiative.