Johannesburg, 20 September 2023 - Absa, a leading financial services provider in Africa, is once again proud to announce its collaboration with the 2023 Nelson Mandela Legacy Ride4Hope cycling event, which takes place from 20 to 23 September 2023. The primary objective of the event is to raise funds for community development and to spread a message of hope inspired by the late former President Nelson Mandela.
The Nelson Mandela Legacy Ride4Hope is one of many events mandated by the Nelson Mandela Foundation to mark the centenary commemoration of South Africa’s first democratically elected president.
The four-day cycling event covers a total distance of 550 kilometres through the provinces of Gauteng, Free State and KwaZulu-Natal. Thirty Absa participants are joining the ride as part of Absa’s commitment to the initiative. Among the riders are members of Absa’s #SheUntamed community, who promote diversity and inclusion in cycling. #SheUntamed is an Absa initiative for women in cycling.
As part of its contribution to the initiative and aligned to its ambition to be an active force for good, Absa facilitated the extension of education facilities in Soweto, former President Mandela’s home between 1946 and 1962 and the starting point for the cycling event. Isaacson Primary School, one of the beneficiaries of Ride4Hope, was upgraded with the addition of classroom, office and storage facilities.
The journey began today (20 September) at the historic Vilakazi Street in Soweto. Riders will pass through Standerton, Newcastle and Ladysmith before reaching their final destination at the revered Nelson Mandela Capture Site in Howick on 23 September. Riders will contribute to the effort to leave a legacy in the towns visited during the ride, the fourth year of the event.
“This partnership delivers real impact corporate citizenship in the form of community development, education and empowerment,” said Stephen Seaka, Absa Group Managing Executive: Public Sector and Growth Capital Solutions. “This is one of several initiatives created by Absa to drive transformation, diversity and inclusion and it is part of Absa’s ambition to be an active force for good in everything we do.” said Seaka.
As cyclists embark on the remarkable journey, members of the public and communities are invited to join in celebrating the indomitable spirit of Nelson Mandela, whose legacy continues to inspire hope, unity, and progress.
To find out more about Ride4Hope, visit https://legacyride4hope.com/ or Legacy_ride4hope on Instagram.
