The Nedbank Tour De Great Dyke kicked off today at Truck Inn, Selous with sixty two cyclists taking to the starting line of the 300km cycling tour .Among the cyclists is eighty one year old Wilson Boka, who is the oldest cyclist on record participating in the tour. The cyclists will be joined by 52 other riders along the way.
In a statement delivered virtually during the kick off ceremony of Nedbank Tour De Great Dyke, the Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development Dr Polite Kambamura said the initiative supports the wellness programme for miners and should be introduced to school children residing along the Great Dyke.
“Today’s launch of Tour De Great Dyke will see our cyclists from Zimplats to Zvishavane marketing the Great Dyke .This programme has been seen as an initiative or is a wellness programme for employees who are working at the mines along the Great Dyke.
“I would like also to encourage that this programme be put in schools that are along the Great Dyke so that we make it more competitive and also have each mine build a team of cyclists as we move to grow this initiative. We want to see this programme go international as we market our national development,” he said.
Speaking during the same occasion, Zimplats Corporate Affairs Manager Hama Saburi said the platinum miner embraces wellness and promotes the health of employees.
“You cannot have a strong mining sector without a healthy and productive populace .I am so happy to be here when our Great Dyke is full of contradictions. Those who have dared or bothered to visit our mining communities, you’ll find out that it is a tale of two worlds.
“It is the richest belt stretching upwards for about 550 km , very rich in minerals , you have gold your gold , platinum and nickel but still have got a population of people who are battling lifestyle diseases who are dying from stroke, heart failure, who are hypertensive among other chronic illnesses and the best way for us to conquer these diseases is when we partake in health and wellness programmes seriously,” says Saburi.
Lucy Kuwandira who was representing Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe Managing Director Munesu Munodawafa said it is important to observe safety rules in order to avoid the occurrence of road accidents.
“We aim to facilitate smooth trajectory towards promoting road safety in our country. As is our culture of aligning ourselves with government’s strategy vision 2030, we aim to reduce road traffic deaths by 50% by 2030.
She advised the cyclists to follow road rules and regulations for their safety.
“For the cyclists , it is important to note that you are a vulnerable road user hence it is vital that you practice good road safety and take responsibility for keeping yourself, pedestrians ,motorists and other road users safe on our roads.
“ You are required by the law to have a bell, a white head lamp, brakes , a rear red reflector, a helmet and a licenced disk so that you will be able to communicate with other road users and to see your way at night,” she said.
Nedbank Head of Compliance Viola Ndlovu reiterated that the bank is keen to promote health and wellness and it is pleased to contribute towards charity through the Gifted Children Foundation.
“We are delighted to be part of this event in partnership with YAFM. The cycling races we are about to see form a noble sporting event in Zimbabwe and Nedbank Zimbabwe is excited and honoured to be the title partner for such a prestigious event.
“We are particularly pleased to contribute to the Gifted Children Foundation which seeks to empower vulnerable and talented children in the Great Dyke and to date as Nedbank Zimbabwe we have seen about 100 children at various stages of their learning journey being educated,” she said.
Cyclists are expected to stopover for the night in Kwekwe and Shurugwi before arriving in Zvishavane on the 29th of October. The Nedbank Tour de Great Dyke is an annual cycling event that was launched in 2016 to enhance awareness of the vast investment opportunities across the mineral rich Great Dyke, promote sustainability and wellness in the area. The tour is supported by mining companies that include Zimplats, Mimosa and Unki Mine.
