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The peace ambassadors on the road from Hermanus to Stellenbosch.
LANSDOWNE
Learners cycle for peace AVRIL FILLIES
T
wenty-one learners from Groenvlei High School in Lansdowne cycled 450km from Suurbraak in the Overberg to the school’s premises from Saturday 1 February to Sunday 8 February as part of the Groenvlei Bilionetwork Challenge, a cycling initiative. The purpose of the challenge was fourfold: to test learners’ endurance, to spread peace and to raise funds for cancer awareness and the school. “Our school has been part of the peace ambassadors programme run by Prof Brian Williams since 2018. All of the learners who participated are peace ambassadors. Most of them live in communities affected by gangsterism and violence,” says Godfrey Hendrikse, a teacher and project coordinator. Hendrikse conceived the idea of pedalling for peace and cycling for cancer when the Groenvlei cycling club was established. The route started in Suurbraak and cut through different dorpies in the Overberg. “Coach Asad Jassiem and I worked with
the cyclists and those who attended training sessions were declared medically fit by an independent doctor,” Hendrikse says. The cyclists stopped off at various schools en route, handing over a peace message from Premier Alan Winde and stationery sponsored by the Aris Cancer Foundation. “Many of the schools we visited serve children from the surrounding farms who are bussed in to school. For me, the highlight was to witness our cyclists in action. Not only on their bikes but how they engaged in their outreach activations. I was struck by the level of awareness and sensitivity of our learners to the needs and challenges of the schools they visited. “They could easily draw parallels between their own circumstances back home with what they observed in these communities. I suppose the maturity displayed by our learners can be attributed to the peace programmes they attended. “All of the cyclists mentioned how much they want to return to the Overberg to give back and to help make a difference in these communities. They returned home with a
greater appreciation for what they have and more determination to continue with their peace mission,” Hendrikse says. Funds raised through sponsorships were shared, fifty-fifty, between the school and the Ari’s Cancer Foundation, which assists adolescents diagnosed with cancer. The learners, who also goes by the name Ari’s Angels, trained hard for six months and during the December holidays. “We partnered with Ari’s Cancer Foundation so that we could deliver stationery and sports equipment to the schools we visited. All the schools visited – the Kibbutz in Worcester, Net vir Pret in Barrydale, Suurbraak Primary, the Railton Foundation in Swellendam, Mullersrus Primary in Malagas, Albert Myburgh High School in Bredasdorp, Mispah and the Moravian Primary School in Elim – as well as the Hyundai dealership in Hermanus, a delegation from Swellenzicht and the deputy mayor of Swellendam, heartily welcomed the cyclists. They were supportive of our mission and greatly appreciative. Each reception – some complete with the rieldans or a brass band – was heart-
warming,” he says. For many, the breathtaking scenery was a highlight of the challenge. New mountains and slopes unfolded at each bend during the steady climb of the Tradouw Pass. Then there were the rolling green hills on the 59km stretch from Elim to Hermanus and, finally, the 91km route, with the sea on the left and a view of the bay from Rooi Els to Gordons Bay en route to Stellenbosch. These are South African gems the cyclists had not experienced before and will never forget. Another route that won’t easily be forgotten is the gravel road to Malagas. Not for its beauty, however, rather its toughness. The road was rutted in parts and the climb up the hills were long and punishing in a temperature of 36°C. Learners had to dig deep to survive mentally and physically. The 85km from Bredasdorp via Cape Agulhas to Elim, straight into a heavy head wind, also pushed cyclists’ limits. The team reached Elim exhausted but victorious. Having survived this challenge, they have the tools to overcome almost any obstacle. V Continued on page 2.
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