THE country's premier annual cycling event, the Nedbank Tour de Great Dyke aims to uplift the lives of close to 100 underprivileged children with educational needs, an official said this week.
Munyaradzi Hwengwere, the chairperson of Mining Expo and the brains behind the three-day 300km cycling event, revealed the desire to contribute more towards the less privileged.
This year's edition of the cycling leg title sponsored by Nedbank Zimbabwe and ably supported by platinum mining companies, Zimplats, Unkie Mimosa and a host of other corporates is scheduled for November 7 to 9.
"The Nedbank Tour De Great Dyke is a gift to Zimbabwe because it is the miner saying a number of things. It is the miner saying I want to get bigger and I can only get bigger because I'm working with my community and with my business ecosystem including the banking sector," Hwengwere told Standard Sport on the sidelines of the official launch at the ESG Mining stand at the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show.
"It is the miner saying I want to be well and I want my community to be well (health, fitness and wellness). I want my environment to be taken care of. It is the miner saying from the monies that I generate I will identify gifted underprivileged children and I will take them to school because you can't be so rich and yet so poor. Last year we managed to pay for 48 students' fees from the proceeds of the tour. If we can, our dream is to double the number to 100 and extend beyond high school to university. If we can achieve that, then, we are making a difference to people in this country."
Hwengwere encouraged the young cyclists to take up the initiative and participate at this year's event. Last year, the elderly hogged the limelight with a record participation including 82-year-old Wilson Boka Dube.
"We need to appreciate that God gave us a resource, when we use that resource productively we have an obligation to uplift those that have less fortune than us," he added.
"I think we need to continue encouraging communities because right now it's primarily mining. We need to bring in a lot of communities and young people because without being well forget about everything. You can only start making money when you are alive and that's what we need to do."
Charity Mandaza Executive Head of Operations Nedbank said the bank is committed to making a positive impact in the lives of children by giving them an opportunity to thrive through access to quality education.
"This event is a testament to our dedication to giving back and driving positive change.
Nedbank is proud to support this cycle charity race, which will make a tangible difference in the lives of the children at the Gifted Children Foundation in the Midlands province. At Nedbank we believe in empowering individuals and communities to reach their full potential," she said.
"This event embodies that spirit, promoting physical activity, teamwork, and social responsibility. Through this partnership, we aim to raise funds towards the school fees for children at the home. We aim foster a sense of community among participants and supporters and encourage a healthy lifestyle and environmental sustainability."
The cyclists are flagged off at the Zimplats Selous offices and cycles through Chegutu, Kadoma and Kwekwe for the Zimplats lap before taking a night rest in Kwekwe.
They resume cycling the following morning from Kwekwe through Gweru and Shurugwi during the Unki lap and resting for the second night at Unki Mine.
The final lap is from Unki Mine into Zvishavane in what is known as Mimosa lap.