49 bicycles were handed over to the Anna Foundation to benefit over 800 rural school children, providing children with their first taste of the cycling world. For many, it’s a chance to build confidence, discipline, and resilience, skills that extend far beyond the bike trails.
Stellenbosch, South Africa (17 March 2025) – More than 800 rural children will soon get to experience the thrill of a first bike ride, the wind in their hair, and the newfound freedom of two wheels!
This is all thanks to a bicycle donation from the IRONMAN Foundation in collaboration with the Absa Cape Epic and Avalanche Bicycles.
The organisation handed over 49 bicycles to the Anna Foundation at the Polkadraai Bike Park on Thursday, 13 March, marking a significant boost for youth sports development in farming communities.
“This donation will give our 850 learners at 22 different projects their first taste of the cycling world, aligning perfectly with our 3Rs programme – Reading, Running, Right-ing… and Riding! Cycling builds confidence, discipline and resilience, and for many of these children, it will be their first opportunity to experience the sport,” says Anna Brom, director and founder of the Anna Foundation.
On the day of the bicycle handover at Polkadraai Bike Park, 28 children from the Anna Foundation’s aftercare projects at Neethlingshof, Waterford, and Devonvalley Primary School had the opportunity to try out the new bicycles on the park’s tracks.
The well-maintained dirt tracks and technical features provided a fun yet challenging environment for the learners to test their skills and experience the thrill of mountain biking.
Seven-year-old Jayceon Daniels, a learner from the Anna Foundation after-school project at Waterford Wine Estate, learnt to ride a bicycle on the day of the biking event.
A learner from the Anna Foundation afterschool project at Waterford Wine Estate, seven-year-old Jayceon Daniels’ joyful exhaustion after learning to ride captures the essence of this gift:
“I’m tired, but I’m so excited to be able to ride a bicycle now,” says Daniels.
This donation holds even greater significance as the Anna Foundation celebrates its 20th anniversary, a milestone marking two decades of unwavering commitment to rural education and development.
What began with a simple running group has evolved into a comprehensive programme encompassing reading, running, writing, and now, riding.
With cycling now playing an important role in the Anna Foundation’s sports programme, the new bicycles are set to make a significant impact.
Hans Becking, a Dutch multiple-time national mountain bike champion, with a natural leadership style and passion for sharing his love of cycling with kids, was a true inspiration to the children on the day.
“I remember when I got my first bike and how it motivated me and changed my life. So, I hope today we could change some lives of some kids,” says Becking
Some of the Foundation’s children have already shown exceptional talent in mountain biking, and with the right support, they could go on to compete at a higher level.
“The bikes will be shared across our 22 projects, offering children the opportunity to discover the positive impact cycling can have on their physical and mental well-being,” adds Brom.
Sources: Supplied
Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google.
Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:
Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.
by 