![\"ccs-62657-0-53165900-1464100675.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-53165900-1464100675.jpg\")
<\/a>Job creation for the local communities has been a major positive spin-off from the collaboration between the BSi Steel dusi2c and the local communities during the event that takes place from 11-12 June from Pietermaritzburg to Durban. Anthony Grote\/ Gameplan Media<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cWe want to try and engage with the local community and help them realise the tourism potential of the area and how they can manage it sustainably,\u201d Haw said. \u201cWe use the same community driven model for the dusi2c that we use at the sani2c where we use the local people to help build the trails and work closely with the local community leaders to ensure that we have their full support.\u201d<\/p>\n
The event does not run as a charity \u2013 something that Haw is very firm on \u2013 with people instead paid for the work that they do in the build up to and during the race, giving these individuals the opportunity to use the race to gain leverage and further advertise their services.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are no volunteers and we receive the services that we need to run the event from the local communities. <\/p>\n
\u201cIndividuals who work on the event will work for their organizations and create the potential to raise some serious money from outside their community.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will help the communities by lining up sponsors of services and products where it is appropriate, but the negotiations and the logistics are completely up to them to organise and we find this is an important element of our empowerment programme,\u201d Haw stressed.<\/p>\n
The dusi2c plays an important role in uplifting the communities that the race runs through and it has a number of beneficiaries throughout the Valley of a Thousand Hills.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe race\u2019s impact on tourism in the province is in the region of R6 million, which is huge and can play a big role in bettering the lives of these people.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, in addition to services required in the race villages, we also pay for registration preparations, logistical manpower, accommodation, water points etc. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a fool proof way for the organisations to raise funds while adding value to the event.<\/p>\n
\u201cPreparing for the event takes around 1500 man hours and approximately 400 people are employed to prepare the trail, run the race village etc. with seven different communities benefitting from the race.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are also nine outside organisations that benefit from the race \u2013 charities, schools as well as environmental groups Durban Green Corridor and the Duzi Umgeni Conservation Trust.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese two organisations are hugely influential in helping out the communities in the Valley and they are ultimately responsible for the incredible trails that the riders enjoy during the dusi2c,\u201d Farmer Glen mentioned.<\/p>\n