Velokhaya Life Cycling Academy is proud that Zanele Tshoko and Thulasizwe Patrick Mxenge have been selected to represent South Africa in the upcoming African Games in Brazzaville, Congo from 4-19 September 2015.
Headline sponsor of the Velokhaya National Competitive Programme, Rand Water, has been instrumental in providing essential support to the athletes in order to get them to national events so that the cyclists can compete at a top level to showcase their talent in the SA racing scene. Rand Water is all for development for community based projects and their principles were immediately aligned with those of Velokhaya.
“Darling of Velokhaya” Zanele Tshoko, is one of the cyclists chosen to represent South Africa at the African Games in Brazzaville, Congo from 4-19 September 2015. Photo: Supplied
Velokhaya Life Cycling Academy General Manager, Sipho Mona, says, “Rand Water saw our programme and what we stand for, and the synergy was there. We were able to garner the relationship and thus far it has been a great success. Getting our riders to events all over the country has gone a long way in strengthening their racing abilities and support at prestigious events, such as National Championships and the UCI-rated KZN Autumn Series.”
The team is also supported by sub sponsors Cadence Nutrition, Road Accident Fund, One Sight Foundation, MTN Foundation, Squirt Lube and Falke socks.
As the longest standing female member of Velokhaya, Tshoko’s selection represents a great achievement amongst her peers. The “Darling of Velokhaya” has persevered through the obstacles that have come her way in life and has shown what patience, discipline and dedication can do to an individual, and that success follows hard work and commitment.
“It is wonderful that Zanele’s efforts in cycling have been recognised. Ultimately, success all depends what the athlete wants to do and at the end of the day, we can only show them the way. Zanele has taken what she has learnt and applied it very well.”
Mxenge on the other hand is a relative newcomer to Velokhaya and although he has been riding bicycles for some time now, he only joined the academy late last year. He has been taught how to race as well as how to look after his body in order to maintain fitness and physical strength, which is vital for any top sportsperson.
“Velokhaya approaches an individual with a holistic approach so that they can each achieve their goals. They are not just here to fill in the numbers, but to see how far they can take themselves in sport and life. This is a gateway to getting to those greater levels.”
Randwater Velokhaya Cycling Team (from left) Thando Zothe, Zanele Tshoko, Mthetheleli Boya, Simphiwe Mhlakaza, Thulasizwe Mxenge and Anele Madlolo (team mechanic). Tshoko and Mxenge have been selected to represent South Africa in the upcoming African Games in Brazzaville, Congo from 4-19 September 2015. Photo : Supplied
Cycling SA General Manager, Mike Bradley, said: “Velokhaya has a long standing cycling development programme in Khayelitsha and are expanding to have a national footprint. They continue to produce good cyclists and having representation at the African Games is a great honour for them. Big thanks to Rand Water for all that they do to assist in rider development in South Africa.”
Velokhaya Life Cycle Academy’s previous success stories include professional cyclists Luthando Kaka (Team Captain of Bonitas Pro Cycling) and Songezo Jim and Nicholas Dlamini (Team MTN-Qhubeka).
Attending the African Games for Tshoko and Mxenge means that they will miss their sponsor’s most important race event of the year, the Rand Water Race for Victory, which takes place at Boswell Wilkie Circus in Alberton, Gauteng on 13 September.
“It would be great to have the whole team at the Rand Water Race for Victory, but we cannot pass on the opportunity for two of our riders to compete in a prestigious event like the African Games. This provides excellent exposure for the team and the brand at international level.
“It is important for us to show our sponsors how the riders perform at one of the most significant races of the year. The rest of the team will pull together at the Rand Water Race for Victory and show their character and they will see that a team is not defined by one person.”
The Rand Water Race for Victory offers a 150km race (for Elite riders only), 110km race (which serves as the official qualifier for the 2015 Momentum 947 Cycle Challenge as well as an Official Premier Seeding Event for the 2016 Cape Town Cycle Tour), and a 54km race. Entries are open and close on Monday 31 August.
Visit the website to enter: www.raceforvictory.co.za.
