Ntsika Secondary School has received 39 bicycles, which pupils can use to attend co-curricular classes and activities away from Ntsika.
Ntsika Secondary School has received 39 bicycles, which pupils can use to attend co-curricular classes and activities away from Ntsika.
These are among a total 150 bicycles which have been donated by the New Westminster Club and Rotary World Help Network, both based in Canada, and Eastern Cape Bicycle Empowerment Network (BEN).
The network aims at poverty alleviation through the promotion of environmentally sustainable transport. “About 80% of the remaining bicycles have been serviced and are awaiting transportation to Grahamstown,” said BEN Eastern Cape Manager Naym Moltie.
Before they are allowed to ride the bicycles, the children will receive safety training from the Traffic Department. At the request of the department, the bicycles will also get a new coat of paint in a bright colour, which should make them easily identifiable.
The school has not yet acquired helmets for the users. Grahamstown Rotary Club is in the process of raising funds for this.
“Our learners are very excited, but will just have to wait for all to be in place. In the meantime Life Orientation learners have been riding on the grass at school,” said principal Madeleine Schoeman.
The school has appointed Odwa Tutu as a bicycle maintenance technician. He is currently undergoing training in East London.
The freight container used for transporting the bicycles and the associated tools will remain the property of Grahamstown Rotary. The container will be delivered to Ntsika, where it will be used as Tutu’s workshop and the site for his own bicycle business.
Should all funding efforts prove successful, Grahamstown Rotary will donate second-hand bicycles and tools as seed funding for Tutu’s business.
