NGO Matla A Bana kick-started the annual Xtreme For Kids Tour at Laerskool Randfontein on Wednesday 27 February. The aim of the 11-day tour between Johannesburg and Cape Town is to inform learners about and warn them against child sexual abuse.
“We plan to reach more than 7 000 children and each child will also receive a self-help survivor guide designed specifically for children who might not have access to therapy,” Monique Strydom, CEO of the organisation said.
She said police units such as the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit will also be present at the school shows to assist with any reporting.
Monique said shows will also be held in Parys, Kroonstad, Welkom, Graaff-Reinet, Beaufort West, Uniondale, George, Mossel Bay, Riversdale, Buffelsjags and Ashton.
“This is exactly what makes the Xtreme for Kids Cycle Tour the most unique cycle tour in South Africa. The cyclists not only take part in this tour and deal with extreme distances and other challenges like heat and wind, they also have to commit to taking part in a school child safety programme with a huge rural impact,” Strydom said.
Lieutenant Colonel Andre van Rooyen said for most of the cyclists taking part in the tour, it started as an endurance cycle challenge, “but quickly became a stark reminder of the dangers children in South Africa face every day.
“At some time during every tour the cyclists realise that child abuse is a reality, especially when they see the heads of kids dropping during the school visits,” Van Rooyen said.
The tour will end on 9 March.
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