MAKHADO – Pupils from the historically disadvantaged communities within the Makhado Municipal area who are travelling about 30km per day in order to an get education, no longer have to do so.

This comes after the mayor of the Makhado Municipality, Cllr Sarel Rhulani Nkuzana, handed over 12 bicycles to learners of the three circuit offices within his municipal area at Malemuwa Primary school on June 8. The three identified circuit offices are Zoutpansberg East, West and North.

When addressing the learners, educators, parents and circuit managers, Nkuzana said that the bicycles were intended to assist destitute students, who are in a desperate situation, who sweat and suffer to get an education by travelling long distances to their respective schools. He said that the donations came from Pretoria Technikon.

"We approached the National Olympic Committee of South Africa (Nocsa), who then co-ordinated with the Technikon to get the allocations (bicycles)" he said. The mayor added that another intention of donating the bicycles was to promote cycling amongst the previously disadvantaged communities. Nkuzana said that certain sporting activities, like wrestling, cycling and rugby, were regarded to be played mainly by the white community. Ever since the ruling party came to power, it started with a programme to make sure that these sporting codes are developed amongst the previously disadvantaged communities.

He further claimed that Makhado Municipality would continue to support all the efforts, which are aimed at empowering children through sport. He commended Nocsa for their vision and determination to promote cycling in the Vhembe District. He also thanked Pretoria Technikon for their efforts. While calling upon farmers to continue working together with the Municipality in making the children better educated, Nkuzana said that "it is only when we are working together that we can be able to give our children a better future"