18 Jan 2022

The new Southern Epic Cycling Challenge (SECC), formerly known as Kgosi Malope II Cycling Challenge, aims to be better and bigger for the 2022 edition slated for the first week of March.

A rebranding exercise will position the cycling challenge to international standards and promote it into a qualifying race for other cycling challenges across the world as well as to broaden its scope, impact and reach of its charitable duties to communities.

It is expected that elite cyclists from across Botswana and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) will battle it out in the new race.

Speaking in an interview recently, founder of SECC, Kaone Ramontshonyana said the cycling challenge had since 2017 experienced exponential growth and needed a refreshing that would resonate with cyclists, sponsors and other  stakeholders.

Ramontshonyana emphasised that the challenge would still strive to uplift the lives of the underpreviledged in the region through the guidance of stakeholders.

He said they aimed to donate 30 per cent of the proceeds to enhancing the capacity of the Southern District to fight COVID-19.

“It has been a journey to make the cycling challenge a success. We are grateful for the support rendered by the tribal leadership and local authorities of the Southern District,” he said.

He said they remained indebted to Kgosi Malope II for the support they received from him and for agreeing to let them dub the event by his name in 2017.

He said Kgosi Malope II had been a guiding light and pillar of strength and that sponsors and partners trusted his credibility and supported them.

He noted that over the years they had raised over P1 million for the benefit the community, adding that Debswana also recently donated P1 million for the development of the Mmalekwa Cultural Heritage Site.   

The cycling challenge spokesperson,  Tiroyaone Khuto said the event had the potential to resuscitate the economy of Kanye and villages in the periphery after the crippling effects of COVID-19.

He said the cycling challenge also injected some cash into the hospitality, transportation, communications, entertainment, catering and tourism sectors in Kanye among. He also said they would continue with their partnership with the Team Swift, a Botswana Cycling Association affiliated cycling club that races both in Botswana and South Africa.

“Team Swift is host to some of the most talented cyclists and it seeks a legacy beyond that of just cycling,” he said.

He said details on registration, prize money, race route and categories would follow in due course. ENDS