Gweru, Zimbabwe — October 22, 2025
On a cool morning in central Zimbabwe, the rhythmic clang of construction tools mixes with the hum of traffic along Lobengula Avenue in Gweru, a city long known as the “City of Progress.” But this year, progress takes on a new meaning — one built not on machinery or mining alone, but on wellness, endurance, and community spirit.
The Gweru City Council has thrown its weight behind the upcoming Nedbank Tour de Great Dyke, Zimbabwe’s premier multi-stage cycling event, hailing it as a cornerstone for promoting well-being, community development, and economic regeneration in the Midlands capital.
“By supporting this event, we aim to foster a sense of togetherness, encourage physical activity, and contribute to the overall well-being of our residents,” said Vimbai Chingwaramuse, Gweru City Council’s Communication and Public Relations Officer. “Wellness and community-focused programmes like this one are essential in promoting healthy lifestyles and creating opportunities for local businesses to thrive.”
For Gweru — a crossroads city halfway between Harare and Bulawayo — the partnership represents more than just a sponsorship deal. It’s a declaration that wellness and development can coexist, and that sports tourism can become a new pillar of local economic recovery.
“Through this collaboration,” Chingwaramuse added, “we hope to attract tourists, generate income for local enterprises, and enhance Gweru’s profile as a hub of sports tourism and community development.”
Pedaling Through the Great Dyke: Where Endurance Meets Enterprise
Launched in 2016, the Nedbank Tour de Great Dyke is no ordinary race. It’s a 328-kilometer, three-day endurance event that cuts across Zimbabwe’s most geologically and economically significant formation — the Great Dyke, a 550-kilometer-long ridge rich in platinum, gold, and chrome.
Each November, more than a hundred cyclists — from mining companies, professional clubs, and wellness enthusiasts — saddle up for a journey that’s as much spiritual as physical. The route snakes through mining towns like Selous, Chegutu, Kadoma, Kwekwe, Gweru, Shurugwi, and Zvishavane, tracing a glittering arc through the mineral spine of the nation.
For years, the Great Dyke has been synonymous with extraction and industry. But the Tour seeks to redefine its identity: transforming mines into backdrops of human endurance, and communities into stages of hope.
The 2024 edition drew over 100 riders, representing companies like Mimosa Mining Company, Unki Mine, Zimplats, and corporate partners such as YAFM, Bon Aqua, Exide Batteries, Cellmed, and Nedbank Zimbabwe.
Nedbank, which has been the title sponsor since 2022, contributed US$15,000 to last year’s race and renewed its commitment for the 2025 edition, scheduled for November 6–8.
Cycling for a Cause: The Gifted Children Foundation
Beyond the physical challenge and spectacle, the Tour carries a humanitarian heartbeat. Proceeds fund the Gifted Children Foundation, a charity that provides tuition, uniforms, and school supplies for gifted but disadvantaged children.
In a country working to reach middle income status, the Tour’s fusion of sport and charity has struck a chord. Mining executives, bankers, and civil servants ride alongside entrepreneurs and youths — a literal embodiment of solidarity in motion.
Legacy
The Tour’s roots trace back to 2016, when it was conceived as a corporate wellness initiative for miners. But it quickly grew into something larger — a national movement celebrating fitness, unity, and sustainable enterprise.
The 2024 edition was hailed as the most successful yet, with riders describing it as both “gruelling and inspiring.” Stage One stretched from Selous to Kwekwe, Stage Two crossed Gweru and Shurugwi, and the final stretch led into Zvishavane, greeted by cheering crowds and schoolchildren waving Zimbabwean flags.
This year’s edition, the 8th Tour de Great Dyke, promises to be even bigger. Organizers say they expect hundreds of cyclists, expanded community events, and stronger local participation, with women’s teams and first-time entrants encouraged to register.
