Kwatsaduza – Boni Life EKasi, under the Parris Shaker Foundation, is a movement that puts a spotlight on children who modify their own bicycles, spin their bicycles, and put sound systems on them.
‘Boni’ is the kasi slang word for ‘bicycle’.
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Parris Shaker said, “We (my wife and I) saw this last year as we returned from a meeting. We came across children modifying their bicycles at the Kwa-Thema centre. We wondered what was happening and then went to see.
We found what we saw to be interesting.”
According to Parris, this has been happening in most townships, including Tsakani and Duduza.
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“These boys compete in spinning, stunts, installing a sound system and more with their bicycles. Some even race.
“When we started spending time with them, we fell in love with their sport, and that’s how the movement came about. We thought we should formalise it for people to get to know about it,” said Parris.
“When observing this, we thought it could be a sporting code, and could be seen as an extreme sport. It’s a sport with a lot of potential.”
According to the Parris, after they took an interest in the sport, they learnt that the boys did it without adult supervision. That became another reason to form the movement.
“Adults are also starting to participate as it is a growing sport. However, most of the children are just seven to 18 years old.
“We started working with the boys in September. We had a competition for them and invited different stakeholders, including the Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation,” said Parris.
Palesa Shaker said their movement is all about bringing development and empowerment as their slogan is ‘Creating opportunities, driving change’ and they have managed to bring in partners along the way.
“On March 5, there will be toys for boys’ event at the Brakpan airfield where we will be taking the boys.
It won’t be just a biking event. Our boys will be exposed to lots of things such as aviation, cars, motorbikes and more,” Parris said.
“We would like for parents as well to come to see what their children are capable of and for them to be able to support their children and their skills.
Not every child is gifted academically, however, if parents take interest in what their children do they can be able to assist in nurturing their talents,” said Parris.
Palesa added, “Biking removes these children from the streets. If parents can involve themselves in what their children do then the community would be a better place.”
Parris said, “We haven’t met girls who do this sport, it would be nice to get them to join so that we can bridge the wong mindset that boys are better than girls.”
The boys will be displaying their bikes for the first time in the toys for boys event.
“The boys with the bike skills will be transported to Brakpan for free and will enter for free, however, parents and other children who want to see what the event is about can transport themselves and buy tickets,” said Parris.
The Shakers asked that those who would like to donate T-shirts, bikes and other items may contact them on 068 018 6458.
“We eat together with the boys. We would also like to have the same T-shirts because as Boni Life ekasi says, we are one,” concluded Palesa.
