Majwe cycling challenge kicks into gear
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday November 13, 2020 15:39
The race, which has received sponsorship of more than P1.8 million, was initially scheduled for February, but was postponed to mid-year.
However, due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) the challenge could not take place. The cycling event is held in honour of the late Debswana managing director, Albert Milton, who passed on last year.
The race is the brainchild of Majwe Mining Joint Venture managing director, Rod Dixon and Albertina Milton, wife to the deceased.
Proceeds of the challenge would go towards the uplifting of underprivileged students in the Jwaneng mine zone of influence.
The cycling challenge team would assist the girl-child learners with reusable sanitary pads. The team would also cluster women within their zone and upskill them to make reusable pads.
Speaking at the launch of the challenge, Majwe Mining communications and community relations officer, Gaone Mogae said the beneficiaries of the race have been hard hit by COVID-19 and are worse off than they were in February.
“We have started engaging with relevant stakeholders so that our assistance may go to where it is more pertinent. We have met with officials from Ministry of Basic Education and they shared with us their needs. We shall engage with the First Lady Neo Masisi and the Ministry of Local Government,” she said.
Mogae said the cycling challenge would commence in Gaborone to Mahalapye and back before ending in Jwaneng on the third day.
“We would have completed 570 kilometres. A cohort of 50 people would depart for Mahalapye as per COVID-19 protocols.
The plan is that 72 hours before the event, we would have all tested for COVID-19 and the results are handed over to the Director of Health Services,” she said. Mogae said if a positive case is detected, necessary steps would be taken.
She added that after the challenge, another round of tests would be conducted.
Mogae said since they would traverse through three different zones; Kgalagadi, Greater Gaborone and Greater Palapye, they would apply for a mass permit.
Deputy project director, Caster Mothibedi said in future they would like the cycling challenge to be an annual event and to be extended to other parts of the country.
One of the race organisers, (Albertina) Milton, said training for the cycling challenge is never easy. “We are going to ride from Gaborone to Dibete and stop for refreshments. We would then take off and stop at Tropic of Capricorn. We should be in Mahalapye before midday,” Milton said.