Over 200 learners from Ubulinga Secondary School, Qhozo High School and Tholithemba High School in Bergville competed in the ‘Blue Bikes’ Derby Day on August 6.
ALSO SEE: Learners receive bicycles to alleviate transport challenges
The purpose of the event was to celebrate Volkswagen’s donation of a further 1 000 bicycles to the community. Entrants competed in various heats per age category, starting with elimination rounds and culminating in six final events.
Nolwazi, a 16-year old from Ubulinga Secondary, won her category and shared her excitement:
“The bike has improved my life in such a positive way. I have more time for homework and I am able to manage time for household chores.”
Matt Fendick, Chief Client Relations Officer at nonprofit organisation Qhubeka, explained:
“The Qhubeka and Volkswagen initiative is about mobilising communities and in the past three years, we have helped to uplift four schools in Bergville, with the ultimate objective of improving their academic outcomes.
“From the data and source information we have, we understand the schools in this district are actually among the top performing schools in KZN, so we’re delighted at the tangible impact we’re seeing though the mobility programme.”
Siyanga Madikizela, PR Manager for Volkswagen South Africa added, “At Volkswagen, we ‘move people forward’ and in partnership with Qhubeka, the ‘Blue Bikes’ initiative supports our ‘Volkswagen for Good’ strategy, which aims to make a positive impact in communities in South Africa.
The idea with ‘Blue Bikes’ is to give children the gift of time, while also moving them forward.
“We realise these children are the catalysts of change in our country and now, instead of them walking long distances to school, we want them to use that time to invest in their education and their future.”
Click to receive news links via WhatsApp. Or for the latest news, visit our webpage or follow us on Facebook and Twitter
