Mountain biking has seen great growth in South Africa and Internationally, and so have the opportunities for aspiring young mountain bikers. South Africa too boasts some of the best and most beautiful mountain biking tracks in the world, however is largely inaccessible to children in high-risk communities such as Bonteheuwel due to high travelling costs and bicycle transfers.

It is for this reason that Graham Hector set to work to layout a 1km mountain biking Cross Country course on the Bergsig Primary School grounds. The course includes drops, hills, berms,jumps, tight corners, and flat straights, allowing the children to experience the all aspects of cross-country and mountain biking.

Utilising schools has many benefits when creating a safe space, such as the potential of having a sports field or grassed area for our programmes, but most importantly, that most school boundaries are fenced with lockable gates allowing for a space free of thoroughfare. This lessens the likelihood of being caught in gang cross fire, drug deals, and general community violence.

However, utilising a “Safe Space” is only possible if we can transport the children to and from activities.

Gang territories prevent children from walking for one side of a community to another, the danger of getting caught in criminal activity, gang flairs, and abduction are all a very real issues when it comes to walking.

These key pillars are;

•  Creating a Safehaven

•  Coaches and Mentors

•  Core Value Training

•  Skills Training

•  Inclusion and Nation Building

•  Talent Identification and Enfranchisement

•  Coach and Mentor development