Durban - Seven matric boys are making their way around the country in three tuk-tuks to raise money for charity.
Since setting out from Joburg on December 27 on their 3 500km trip, they have raised more than R100 000.
The group of “do-gooders”, all 18, arrived in Durban on Wednesday and will be in East London today.
Ayrton da Silva, the founder of Project Colour, said the idea came from an event in India called the Rickshaw Ride.
“We were looking for an adventure to end off our matric year and the 3 500km trip across India in rickshaws sounded perfect,” he said.
However, while researching the trip, the seven, from four Joburg high schools and brought together by school sports, found the costs were prohibitive.
Thomas Coward, another member of the team, said: “Then we thought, ‘Why not do the same thing, but in South Africa?’ So, we started looking at the options.”
The idea grew and the group decided to start a yearly fund-raising adventure across the country.
“We were influenced by a book called Colour Blind Faith, the biography of an Irish priest, Father Stan Brennan, an anti-apartheid activist.
“He set up the St Francis Care Centre in Boksburg and was an inspiration for us.”
While passing through Harrismith, the group heard they had passed the Independent Examinations Board exams with exemption, meaning they could go to university. Their message to other Grade 12s is to “work hard and take every opportunity presented to you”.
Da Silva said the response to the trip had been phenomenal.
“We have had so much support that even our accommodation along the way has been heavily discounted, or is free. After deciding to make it an annual event, we have had a staggering number of people coming on to the website and signing up for next year, and so many donations. We’re at more than R100 000, which is unbelievable.”
People they passed were also intrigued by the tuk-tuk team, with cars often pulling over and photographing them, said Coward.
The group have been sponsored by Microsoft, which has supplied Windows smartphones to capture their experiences; Canon has supplied cameras; Cell C has given airtime; and an insurance company has also come on board.
The tuk tuks are sponsored by a Port Elizabeth company, Atul, which imports and assembles the vehicles.
The seven are supported by a team who include mechanics, safety experts and a cinematographer. Although the group were enthusiastic about their experiences, the trip hasn’t all been plain sailing.
“We had some issues along the way, like on Tuesday we had clutch problems with one of our tuk-tuks. We also struggled initially to get sponsorship, but we never gave up and it all came together in the end,” said Da Silva.
Coward added: “It can be draining driving eight hours or more a day because the tuk tuks cruise at about 50km to 55km/h. But the scenery is amazing. It’s an adventure of a lifetime.”
Sunday Tribune