MPILETSO MOTUMI
IF IT were up to the Medscheme Development Team, cycling would be a big part of the Soweto lifestyle.
“I grew up watching my dad cycle, so it is something I’ve always wanted to do,” said Siphiwe Msibi, 17. For him and his teammates, life wouldn’t be the same without cycling. “It’s given us the opportunity to see places far and wide and has kept us out of trouble,” said Siyabonga Tshabalala, 16.
The Medscheme team is made up of eight teenage cyclists: Msibi, Tshabalala, Thulasizwe Mxenge, 18, and 17-year-olds Nhlanhla Ncongo, Sandile Mthembu, Phumlani Kubheka, Siphosihle Mdhluli and Thabo Job.
The boys train together every Tuesday to Sunday. They train along roads in Soweto but avoid highways.
Their training routes take them through all terrains, from the smooth Naturena streets through to the hilly areas of Glen Vista and back to Dlamini and Phiri, where they come from. They also train at Nasrec and along the FNB Stadium, where the streets are quiet.
There are two other clubs in Soweto – Lethabo Cycling Club and Southsky Cycling Club.
The boys joined the Medscheme team in 2009.
“It’s talent and dedication that makes the team. We invite people with potential and give them a chance,” said Bradley Smith, the team manager.
The boys have taken part in national and international events, including competitions in Sun City, Durban and Joburg. “We’ve entered many competitions and placed well in many of them. I placed second and third in two races this year,” said Mxenge.
Future plans include taking part in the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia. Mxenge will also be taking part in the Junior World Championships in New Zealand later this year.
“I took part in the Commonwealth Games last year and it was a memorable experience,” he said.
Mxenge and Ncongo have been selected as part of the national junior track squad and will take part in the National Junior Tour in Nelspruit tomorrow and on Saturday, while the rest of the squad will participate in the Central Gauteng Track Championships.
“The key is to produce top-class riders and race winners,” said Smith.
As for cycling lanes in Soweto, Johannesburg Roads Agency spokesman Thulani Makhubela said the JRA would build complete streets for all new developments. “‘Complete’ means walkways, cycle lanes and proper roads.”
He added it was difficult to incorporate such developments to existing infrastructure in areas where there were still roads that needed fixing. “It’s a lot of capital development. There are communities that do not have roads and we need to balance all priorities.”
Makhubela said the JRA was committed to building a public transport-friendly city which aided pedestrians and cyclists.