NEDBANK Partners in association with the Sports Trust held a ceremony at Phoenix Secondary School for the official handing over of 165 cycling kits and 60 bicycles to over 165 learners from thirteen disadvantaged schools in the Cape Flats and Boland areas. The participating schools were Beacon Hill Secondary, Bonne Esperance Primary, Crystal High,Kwamfundo Secondary, Mathew Goniwe High, Mbekweni Primary, Orchard Primary, Oval North Secondary, Scottsville High, Van Cutsem Combined High and Worcester Secondary. New schools that joined the list this year were Phoenix Secondary and Lavender Hill High.

This programme was established in 2005 and have since contributed 656 bikes to our local schools. NEDBANK and the Sports Trust have been in partnership for over two-decades. They have contributed approximately R15 million to sports development projects in South Africa. The programme encourages young people to focus on the positive side of life. It is believed that through sport, young people who live in communities that are destructive to them have the power to rise above their circumstances. The Honourable Dr Ivan Meyer in his capacity as Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport and being a cyclist himself thanked the organisers, Ms Anita Matthews (Sports Trust) and Ms Carol Crawford, Marketing and Communication Manager (Sports Trust) for their great work that they have been doing so far. He also made use of the time to thank the principal of Phoenix Secondary, Mr Shafiek Abrahams for having leadership at their school. The Minister continued by saying that, "Cycling is the best diet you can ever have.Through cycling you find happiness in your heart because it transforms the way you think, act and move forward."

The learners were ecstatic when they received their gifts. Austin Titus (16) a Gr 10 learner at Oval North Secondary replied, "I am extremely happy today. Cycling keeps me away from all the social ills that I am faced with in my community and I would like to take this cycling to the next professional level." A former matriculant of Phoenix Secondary, Wayne Austin (18) was overwhelmed and he wants to continue with the cycling programme. The 165 learners will be participating in the 2013 Cape Argus Pick 'n Pay Cycle tour. There are grand prices up for grabs like the exclusive Bird watch-phone (cell phone watch) and other cash prices. For more information contact, Carol Crawford at 011 802 1818/ 082 802 2899 or Email marketing@sportstrust.co.za