Cyclists ride from Kgoshi Sekhukhune I statue, to Kgoshi Mampuru II statue
SEKHUKHUNE
A small group of pioneers from Sekhukhuneland celebrated this year’s Heritage Day on September 24 by cycling for 60 kilometres from Kgoshi Sekhukhune I statue in Ntswaneng village, through Mathakane pass and Masehleng Village to Kgoshi Mampuru II statue in Mamone, Jane Furse.
Masechaba Koma from Magakala ‘a Ntwampe (Moroke), the leader of the group and organiser of the challenge says, after a long period of preparation and exercising she was unfortunately involved in a motor vehicle accident on September 20, when a car she was traveling in was hit by another car on the passenger side where she was seated. This unfortunate incident left her with a neck injury, unable to move her neck and, therefore, unable to cycle.
Though this was devastating for her and her team, she was determined to participate in the challenge the best way she could under her new conditions.
“I wasn’t going to miss this come high or low water. I told myself that I should not let what happened discourage me and my team. I joined the team from start to finish. I contributed by cheering the team, handing water bottles, handing toys to kids that we met along the way, and also by handling all communications for the team. I did an interview with Sekhukhune FM that we encountered at Maila Segolo.”
Why did the crew participate in this difficult challenge?
“Firstly, we decided to undertake this challenge to cycle from Kgoshi Sekhukhune statue to Kgoshi Mampuru Statue to celebrate our heritage and honour these legends of Sekhukhuneland and Bopedi heritage at large.
“You cannot tell history and heritage of Bopedi without mentioning these two legends. It is impossible. So, we wanted to honour and celebrate that. Secondly, we are for unity of all Bapedi people and all people of Sekhukhuneland. This race is for the people to united for a common purpose.”
The full name of the challenge is Brothers for Peace, Brothers United, Statue to Statue Mountain Bike Challenge It is all about being united and peaceful with each other for a greater purpose. Finally, we want all local people to be closer together and less apart. We want our people to work together to bring back the glorious days of Sekhukhuneland and its people.”
Speaking to the Sekhukhune Times, the cyclists thanked all the people that cheered and sponsored them during their ride.
“A special thank you to Phatudi Hlabirwa a’ Bauba Mampuru for welcoming the team in Mamone and for his words of encouragement. The team will like to challenge all able people of Sekhukhuneland to participate in the Statue to Statue Mountain Bike Challenge next year in large numbers.
“The team will also like to challenge all local mines in Sekhukhune to get involved and take part in this challenge next year. We observe with concern that there is a general mistrust between mine employees and local people, locals say mine employees are outsiders while mine employees are saying locals are disruptive and we want to change that. The best way to do that will be to cycle together. We want mine employees and locals to join hands and make Sekhukhuneland great again.”
