Monaheng Mrwetyan will spend the next nine days cycling 850km from Johannesburg to Komani in the Eastern Cape so students can access life-changing bursaries.
Eastern Cape, South Africa (13 April 2022) – Monaheng Mrwetyana will again push his body to the limit when he tackles a gruelling 850km bicycle ride to raise much-needed funds for education in the Komani (formerly Queenstown) area of the Eastern Cape.
Monaheng pulled on his lycra togs on this morning, the 13 April 2022, and set off from the Life Hospital in Suikerbosrand to complete the 1965 Ride for a second time. The 1965 Ride is a demanding 9-day cycling challenge from Johannesburg to Komani.
He loves endurance sports and has already completed three Comrades races and four Two Oceans Marathons. He took up cycling during the pandemic and lockdown to stay active.
“I also realised that cycling opened up opportunities for me to raise funds for the less fortunate,” says Mrwetyana.
“I wanted to help and contribute in some way as I’m passionate about giving back.”
The 1965 Ride takes the rider on an 850km journey across South Africa, featuring some of the incredible landscapes the country has to offer.
“The aim of the Ride1965 is to transform education in the Komani area by improving the quality of learning and teaching and providing talented young learners with the opportunity of a lifetime – a good education,” explains Mrwetyana, who grew up in Mount Fletcher in the Eastern Cape.
Monaheng applied for help towards his cause through the Engen Employee Community Partnership Programme (ECPP), which aims to create meaningful upliftment partnerships between employees and their immediate communities.
The Education Endowment Fund, a custodian of all money raised by the 1965 Ride, was eligible for a R5 000 ECPP grant from Engen, which will be used for learner bursaries in the Komani area.
Adds Mrwetyana: “The route out of poverty and inequality is a quality education so by helping to send deserving young people to an excellent school we are giving them the opportunity to receive a quality education, and thus provide them with the chance of a lifetime, and hope to their community.
“I am more motivated than ever after witnessing the relief that last year’s bursaries brought to young learners.”
Engen commends Monaheng Mrwetyana for showing commitment and playing a leading role to make a difference, says the company’s General Manager: Human Resources, Ivershini Reddy.
“By participating in the 1965 Ride, Monaheng’s efforts are helping to uplift the community,” says Reddy.
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