Cyclists Against COVID-19 braved the scorching heat this weekend, covering more than 180km from Johannesburg to Sun City, in North West province, all in the name of awareness and of course doing what they like most.
Doing their bit in the fight against the pandemic, the riders identified communities on their route in serious need of face masks and other protective equipment between the two provinces.
Refilwe Mokgosi (40) took on the audacious ride from Johannesburg to Sun City.
Along the way, together with nine others, they distributed face masks to those who needed them.
While the general public wait for their turn at getting the vaccine against COVID-19, the wearing of a mask is still key in the fight against the pandemic.
“We are lending a hand by giving away these masks as we intensify the fight against the pandemic,” Mokgosi says.
“We are just here to remind these communities that wearing masks is still the way to go. The COVID-19 pandemic is still leaving a trail, it is real and people are being infected,” adds Mokgosi’s fellow cyclist, Malusi Ntanzi.
Cyclists Against COVID-19 raising awareness:
The Health Department reported 1 690 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday, taking the number of total infections to 1 502 367.
There have been a further 81 COVID-19-related deaths, taking the national death toll to 48 940.
Recoveries now stand at 1 409 553, representing a recovery rate of 93,8%.
The pandemic has also claimed livelihoods and some of the people the cyclists interacted with have experienced this first hand.
“I’ve lost my job because of the pandemic. It is tough my brother but thanks for the masks,” said one community member.
“Times are tough. We are grateful that there are people who think about us as you can see our community is poor,” added another.
For the cyclists, it was a worthwhile ride. They say the fight against the global pandemic is everyone’s responsibility.
