Sunday Tribune

On the road to raise R500 000 for Manguzi orphans

LETHU NXUMALO lethu.nxumalo@inl.co.za

A TEAM of good Samaritans are cycling and running a distance of 500km in the hopes of raising R500 000 by Wednesday for Manguzi’s two orphaned children.

Since the beginning of their race, which began on Youth Day, the expedition has gone on smoothly and the team were confident that they will reach Manguzi, northern Kwazulu-natal, as planned.

Sport for Lives, an initiative which raises funds for the betterment of communities, in collaboration with the Kolisi Foundation, are hoping to raise the money to support, educate and mentor the two children aged 5 and 6 for at least a year.

The team consists of six participants who were led by Kwanda Sibiya, the initiator of the campaign. Sibiya is also a Hilton College science teacher and housemaster who comes from Manguzi.

Sibiya said he was always determined to bring change to his community.

“Living in a country where divisions and adversity is a daily struggle for so many, one might feel making a difference is impossible, but the reality is, it is what we have within us that can make a difference,” he said.

“It is the heart and the love for one another that can bring us together. If you can help one person, do it and if we all help each other in small ways we create a better world for all.”

In the past five days, the team has been covering an average of 70 to 80km a day, both cycling and running on a ratio of one to three, with the cycling taking only one part.

Ali Kingsley of Sport for Lives said they had approached the Kolisi Foundation and it agreed to a partner in the initiative.

“We needed someone that we could trust with the funds and also with running the projects. The influence of Siya as a respected Springbok captain is undeniable. We are hoping that having him back the campaign will help us,” Kingsley said.

“Our priority is to help the children, the second is to start a sustainable project that can benefit the families and other Manguzi residents and that will be possible through working with the foundation.”

He mentioned that sponsors behind the team included individuals, families as well as big corporations.

Anica di Monte, communications manager at the Kolisi Foundation, said their partnership with Sport for Lives emphasised the heart behind the foundation – to “remember the one, one by one”.

She said although Siya and Rachel Kolisi would not be joining the team due to work commitments, additional funds raised would be directed to the foundation to further change the narrative of inequality in the country through their programmes.

“We are inspiring a voice of hope and opportunity. Leaving on Youth Day was significant as we remembered what people did for us, standing up for what is right and just.

“Now it’s our turn to take up the baton and dream of what’s to come in a country where everyone belongs,” Di Monte said.

To support Sport for Lives you can visit www.sportforlives.org.

METRO

en-za

2021-06-20T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-06-20T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://sundaytribune.pressreader.com/article/281578063621364

African News Agency