CYCLISTS drawn from various clubs around the country embarked on a grueling 300km ride from Selous to Zvishavane as the 2023 edition of the Nedbank Tour de Great Dyke got in motion yesterday.
Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution minister Marian Chombo flagged off the cyclists at Zimplats' processing division in Selous.
The three-day race, divided into three laps, started from Zimplats in Selous to Kwekwe covering a distance of about 140km where the cyclists would put up for the night.
“We are indeed optimistic that the Nedbank Tour de Great Dyke will grow to become an international event which is acknowledged globally by cycling enthusiasts,” Chombo said to thunderous applause.
“From our perspective, the Nedbank Tour de Great Dyke fills an excellent need for fitness and wellness and dovetails into the government programme of promoting wellness and healthy living in all citizens.”
Organisers of the event, YaFM chairperson, Munyaradzi Hwengwere said all proceeds will go towards charity.
“We thank every sponsors that have partnered us in this initiative and all the cyclists who are cycling for a good cause,” he said.
“The money raised from this event will go towards the upkeep of children at Gifted Hands Foundation. This programme seeks to empower talented and yet vulnerable children in the Great Dyke.”
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Representing the title sponsor, Nedbank’s acting head of marketing, Latifa Kassim said from the proceeds raised last year they managed to cater for 100 children and aim to go higher this year.
“Nedbank Zimbabwe is no stranger to the sporting fraternity and the Nedbank brand has become a household name in the empowerment of various sporting disciplines, namely rugby, netball, athletics, golf and cycling. We are passionate about health and wellness which are all aligned to Sustainable Development Goal which speaks to good health and well-being. This SDG emphasises the importance of promoting health in our communities,” she said.
“Furthermore, we believe that sport has the potential to unlock our local talent and create a platform for regional and global exposure for our communities...sport has become a source of employment for some of our top sportsmen and women and we are proud of the role that we have played in making this a reality.
Zimplats senior general manager- processing, Louis Mabiza said they are proud to be involved with the event that opened its doors in 2016.
“To see the event growing from strength to strength vindicates the choice that we made seven years ago, when we decided to be part of the Tour de Great Dyke. We applaud the organisers for continuing to bring together miners from the Great Dyke in Zimbabwe to participate in a common event that promotes sports and healthy lifestyles,” he said.
“The event resonates with the community wellness pillar, whereby we support our employees and the communities within our footprint to lead healthy lifestyles to reduce chances of developing lifestyle diseases such as high blood pressure, obesity, respiratory diseases, diabetes and high cholesterol levels."
He mentioned four main risk factors that give rise to these non-communicable diseases and encouraged people to stay healthy and fit. These are unhealthy diets, foods high in fats, sugar or salt, tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol and physical inactivity.
“As Zimplats we embrace cycling as one of the sporting disciplines that we support apart from athletics, football, netball, basketball and volleyball," added Mabiza.
“Cycling is fun, easy to fit into your daily routine by riding to the shops, school or work. It is also recommended as part of the regimen for managing depression, diabetes, obesity and arthritis.”
