Vodacom Tour de Soweto Cycle Challenge
Vodacom Tour de Soweto Experiencing Soweto on a Bicycle Both local residents and tourists alike are invited to enter the Vodacom Tour de Soweto, a unique cycling event that will allow people of all ages to experience the vibe of this colourful Johannesburg township up close.
The event will take place on Sunday 16th August, starting and ending at Mofolo Park in Soweto. Entries will be taken at Primi Bazala in Maponya Mall from 6am on the day. Once having entered, participants can take a 2km warm-up ride to the starting line at Mofolo Park in Mcube Dr (Dube) at the corner of Mzilakazi Drive, opposite the community centre. There’ll be a 40km fun ride for R50, and a 19km Dikwiel race for R10. Both races will start at 8am. Those entering the Dikwiel race can decorate their bikes and also enter a decorated Dikwiel bike competition. The Vodacom Tour de Soweto brings an exciting European style race through the streets of Soweto. The twisting and turning route through the suburbs will pass various historical land marks in Soweto like the Orlando Stadium, Nancefield and Meadowlands Migrant Worker Hostels, and Orlando West recent home of Winnie Mandela, Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. There’ll also be the unique vibe of hawkers, street side churches, car washes, garages and the occasional shebeen. Another unique factor about this event is the live entertainment on route such as Gumboot, Pantsula and Zulu dancing. This, together with the excitement of local residents cheering cyclists on as they ride through the township gives the race its own unique vibe and provides participants with an entertaining and unforgettable cultural experience.
There’ll be R75 000 in cash prizes to be won. Prize-giving will take place at Mofolo Park, starting at 11am and there’ll be live entertainment at the prize-giving by local township artists and DJ’s. The race, in its third year of running, has to date received entries from across Gauteng and its surrounds. The Vodacom Tour de Soweto will be presented by Minanawe in association with the Lethabo Cycling Club. For more information contact Billy Chaka on 082 904 0823 or GG Alcock on 011 704 6257.
