Bright smiles and open arms on day one of Bikers For Mandela Day!
Bikers for Mandela Day riders ready to hit the road after a delicious lunch
Harrismith: The playground was brighter and the smiles of the children wider when the Bikers For Mandela Day finally pulled away from the Harrismith orphanage today.
The first of seven community projects to benefit from this year’s expedition, the Harrismith orphanage was abuzz with activity when the riders and support team arrived around midday after setting off from Montecasino in the early hours of the morning.
At the press conference before the riders left, 5fm’s DJ Fresh spoke boldly about his commitment to the seven day, 13 hour and 37 minutes it will take Bikers For Mandela Day to travel the 2 200 kilometres planned for this year’s route.
“The 67 minutes that we are all asked to give on Nelson Mandela Day is just a starting point – the bare minimum. I personally would like the 67 minutes to be the inspiration for a deeper, longer involvement in changing the world for better,” DJ Fresh said.
Smiles from Harrismith orphanage welcome Bikers for Mandela Day riders
En route from Gauteng to the Free State, the highly visible group of riders was welcomed with open arms – at toll gates, at service stations and all along the N3.
At the orphanage, a bright mural was painted and the playground livened up. It was when the children were given simple gifts from the sponsors (which include Vodacom and Spar as well as many others) that the real impact of Bikers For Mandela Day was felt with – with many riders remarking how things they take for granted everyday brought such pleasure to the children.
At around 14h30 it was time to head out for a rest and an overnight stop before waking up to Day 2 of this remarkable expedition – one that serves as an inspiration for individuals worldwide to take their own action and inspire their own change on Nelson Mandela International Day on July 18th.
Today was a significant day for the Bikers for Mandela Day departure as it also marked the Rivonia Raid which resulted in the Rivonia Trial that ultimately led to the imprisonment of Nelson Mandela.
Take Action, Inspire Change. Make Every Day a Mandela Day.
- Follow the ride on Twitter (@Bikers4MandelaD)
- On Nelson Mandela Day on July 18th, members of the public can pre-book for lunch at the Royal Elephant Hotel in Pretoria which is where the group will be returning to at around 14:00 on Mandela day. The cost for the lunch is at a reduced rate of R120,00 a head (the usual price is R175,00). Bookings for the lunch can be made directly with Surina on 012 658 8018, 012 658 8000, surina@royalelephant.co.za or info@royalelephant.co.za
