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27

November

2018
27

November

2018

Coach Profile: Blessing Ndlovu

Coach Blessing is the newest addition to the GO!Durban Cycle Academy as the second coach at the Inanda Bike Park. He started cycling in 2013 and joined the academy when it was launched in 2016.

He showed great initiative as an older member of the academy, helping out wherever he could and accompanying the team to races. His skills on the bike made him a role model to the younger riders in his community and he will now be a further asset to the programme in his role as cycling coach.

“I love riding and I enjoy training with the kids,” he says. “The GO!Durban Cycle Academy is also making sure that the kids are doing well at school and I hope to see all of them progressing in school and cycling. I always tell them that practice makes perfect and they should never give up in anything they do.”

Welcome to the team, Coach Blessing!


27

November

2018

Bridge between uMhlanga New Town and Cornubia partially open

PEDESTRIANS AND MOTORISTS URGED TO HEED ROAD SAFETY RULES AS BRIDGE OVER N2 LINKING UMHLANGA NEW TOWN TO CORNUBIA IS PARTIALLY OPENED

Single lanes in both directions (east and west), which are essentially a continuation of uMhlanga Ridge Boulevard will be open to traffic from Wednesday, 28 November. The broad bridge accommodates two dedicated bus rapid transport (BRT) lanes in the centre and two lanes in each direction for motorist access.

According to City’s Head of Transport Authority Thami Manyathi, pedestrians should be mindful of road safety rules around this area because of its close proximity to the informal settlement of Blackburn and the large Cornubia housing estate.

“We are seeing pedestrians not using the walkways provided for them, as well as crossing the national N2 with vehicles and trucks travelling at high speed, and are most concerned about their safety, as well as the repercussions for road users should an accident occur,” said Manyathi.

“We appeal to pedestrians in the area to be aware that motorists will now be using the bridge and off-ramp and that there will be active construction vehicles on the boulevard and the off-ramps as construction on the new route continues. Pedestrian sidewalks across the bridge and along the Blackburn off-ramp have been constructed and we implore the community to please use those, for their own safety,” said Manyathi.

The bridge is a crucial link in the Corridor 9 (C9) route which will eventually link uMhlanga via Cornubia and Phoenix Industrial to Bridge City in KwaMashu. The economic spin offs as result of this development, are promising to be considerable and much needed job opportunities are also expected to be created.

To stay up to date with the project, follow GO!Durban on Facebook and Twitter.


24

November

2018

Giba Gorge Team Enduro

Last weekend, four riders from the GO!Durban Cycle Academy teamed up with their mentors and coaches for their very first Enduro mountain biking event at Giba Gorge. This also marked the first official event for the Bluff Meat Supply Pro-Am Team.

The riders thoroughly enjoyed putting their technical skills to the test on one of the best downhill tracks in the country, and as usual, Giba Gorge delivered an excellent day of Enduro racing in the scorching KZN heat.

Thanks to Nigel Hicks, Head of KwaZulu-Natal Gravity Mountain Biking, for welcoming us to the event. We look forward to an exciting partnership in 2019 as we take on this new discipline within the sport of cycling, to further improve the skills and development of our academy riders, with the support and guidance of KZN Gravity MTB.

Full team: Mncendisi Mkhize, Lungani Mbambo, Cayde Muldoon, Siya Njiva, Cruz Cele, Ongezo Mini and Nomfundo Mtshali

 


17

November

2018

TAFTA Trail Run

The Inanda Trail Running Team had a great showing at the annual TAFTA Trail Run at Virginia Preparatory School. The enthusiastic runners dominated the race and took top positions in the 4km and 8km routes. Well done to Coach Lonwabo and his team for these excellent results!

4km Female:

  1. Sisanda Sikhakhane
  2. Sphumelele Gumede
  3. Lusanda Gumede

4km Male:

  1. Nkosinathi Mndaba
  2. Bernard Ndlovu
  3. Bheki Mkhize

8km Female:

  1. Thobeka Khuzwayo

8km Male:

  1. Sibongakonke Zwane
  2. Nala Qiniso

31

October

2018

Moja Cruise Launch Parade

 
Monday, 29 October 2018 marked a watershed moment for public transport in the eThekwini Municipality (ETM), as the City’s mini-bus taxi incentive programme “Moja Cruise”, a first for the country, went “live” with a parade of 150 branded taxis through the CBD.


31

October

2018

The official Mt Edgecombe bridge Opening

 
Introducing the completed Mount Edgecombe block interchange that will be ushering in better flowing traffic. It will also support economic development in the northern part of the city and make traveling in and around the area much more easier.


31

October

2018

Moja Cruise Taxi Incentive Programme and Parade Launches in CBD

Monday, 29 October marked a watershed moment for public transport in the eThekwini Municipality (ETM), as the City’s mini-bus taxi incentive programme “Moja Cruise”, a first for the country, went “live” with a parade of 150 branded taxis through the CBD.

As part of the transformation of public transport, the Municipality started the construction of road infrastructure in its efforts to integrate public transport into a network of eight bus rapid transit lanes and a rail route across the City in its GO!Durban programme. As part of this programme, and prior to beginning construction in 2013, the City leadership, since 2009, has been engaging with the leadership of the mini-bus taxi and bus industry in an endeavour to bring these current public transport operators into a cohesive operation to provide safe, efficient and reliable transport for all. The aim has always been to ensure that they continue to have a stake in public transport into its transformation.

The Ethekwini Metro Taxi Council (EMTC), the leadership body of the mini-bus taxi industry, and the City have collaborated to develop this innovative pilot programme to “test the waters” for improved public transport system. The programme branded “Moja Cruise” was launched in October 2017, and the various stakeholders have been planning and preparing for the “go live” date this month.

Essentially the pilot programme includes 500 mini-bus taxis that will be branded as “Moja Cruise” taxis, with 150 taxis already enrolled in the programme. These taxis will adhere to certain criteria to offer a clean, safe, efficient, customer-oriented service to the public. The vehicles will be monitored to ensure that these criteria are met in order to qualify for the financial incentive.

Speaking at the “go live” launch, which was attended by the leadership of the eThekwini Metro Taxi Council and participants of the programme, the EXCO member and Chairperson for the Human Settlements and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr Mondli Mthembu said that the aim of the programme was to proactively empower the mini-bus taxi industry at all levels, to progress their businesses, and to support the development of the industry towards a more formal and scheduled service structure aimed at providing better levels of services and safety to commuters and improving overall public transport in the City.

Commenting on the EMTC’s collaboration with the city, the Chairperson of the eThekwini Metro Taxi Council, Mr B M Nzuza said, “Being experienced public transport operators, we understand and acknowledge the need for a more customer-orientated service that meets the needs of the commuters. By working in collaboration with the eThekwini Municipality, we have been able to offer our expertise and understanding in a consultative and collaborative process, to find positive and workable solutions to the challenges that we face as businesses, and they face as government. We all look forward to seeing the programme work, and to an improved service and business model for our constituents.”

Giving a keynote address, eThekwini Mayor, Cllr Zandile Gumede congratulated eThekwini Officials and the EMTC, affirming the City’s vision of “Durban being the most caring and liveable City by 2030”. “It goes without saying that accountability and compliance in terms of moving forward with public transport is vital, however an improved customer-focused service means better business and stimulation for the economy. As government, the more we can drive the economy forward to create opportunities, the better it is for the citizens of this country.”

Affirming the bold move by the City and the EMTC, Cllr Zandile Gumede said, “National Government DOT and KZNDOT will be monitoring the progress of this innovative programme to bring the mini-bus taxi sector into the fold, and we have great hopes that it will significantly shift the current public transport offerings to our citizens, and act as a model that could be rolled out around the country.”

The pilot programme will run for six-months and will include 500 vehicles. The 150 taxis involved in today’s parade have already been enrolled in the programme. The number of taxis will increase to 6000 once the pilot is assessed and Council approves the full adoption of the programme.

The fees for trips in the taxis, will not differ from that of non-branded taxis, and they will continue to operate in their licensed routes as per usual.

Commuters will eventually be able to rate their trips in a Moja Cruise taxi as part of the overall offering to ensure that the relevant criteria are met by the taxi owner and the driver.


31

October

2018

Coach Profile: Siyabonga Njiva

Formerly a professional rider for the Kargo Pro MTB Team, Siya has a wealth of racing experience. He has completed the gruelling Absa Cape Epic three times (2011, 2012, 2013), not to mention the Sani2C and a host of other marathons. As head coach of the GO!Durban Cycle Academy, Siya is able to transfer his knowledge and skills to the other coaches, as well as the young athletes.

“I have learnt a lot from working with Shaun (Peschl),” explains Siya. “He taught me how to wake up early and train every day before work.”

Siya oversees the general operations of the bike programme, ensuring that the bikes are functioning optimally and that there are sufficient spares for repairs, and supporting the coaches at each GO!Durban Cycle Academy bike park.


Coach Siya in the middle with Primary School riders at the KZN Spur Schools MTB League

One of Siya’s big dreams for the future is to have our riders experience the Absa Cape Epic and someday win the Exxaro Development Jersey.

“I am very proud of our riders who are performing well at the races and even being selected to ride for KZN,” says Siya. “I am also especially proud of the girls who have started competing this year and winning races. They are great role models for the rest of the kids in their communities who can follow their example and also learn to ride a bike. It is exciting to have new female riders joining the academy and seeing their improvement every week.”

However, despite the great results on the bike, the most important thing for Siya is creating a safe haven for the kids in the community at the GO!Durban Cycle Academy.

“The academy is keeping the kids off the street and giving them a place to go that is like home; where they can be themselves and have access to opportunities.”

“My advice to the kids is to listen to their coaches when they offer advice, to learn from their own mistakes, ask questions and keep moving forward!”


31

October

2018

Spur Series Finals


From L to R: Sanele Mkhunya, Siyobonga Njiva, Alan Hatherly and Mncendisi Mkhize at the Spur MTB League National Finals

It’s a wrap on the 2018 Spur Schools MTB League and what a year it was!

Thanks to our new VW Crafter Van from Hoopers VW, we were able to transport more riders to the provincial races this year, including primary school kids and girls, which marked an important milestone for the academy. During the season we achieved seven podium finishes, five of those in the female categories.

Overall in the KZN series, the GO!Durban Cycle Academy was placed 3rd on the High School log and 6th on the Primary School log. Two of our riders, Mncendisi Mkhize (Northwood High School) and Sanele Mkhunya (Bheki High School) were selected to represent KZN at the national finals event in Magaliesburg on the 5th and 6th of October, which provided another great opportunity for the boys to be exposed to a national level of riding and also to socialise with riders from other schools and provinces.

“The Spur Schools MTB League is always a highlight on our calendar and we are very proud of all our riders who participated this year,” says Shaun Peschl, Programme Director of the GO!Durban Cycle Academy. “A huge well done and congratulations to our deserving coaches who work tirelessly throughout the season to get the riders race-ready and co-ordinate logistics on race day. We also wish to thank Tim Keep, KZN Schools MTB and Spur Sports for making the series possible and for sponsoring the entries for our riders this season,” Shaun concludes.

Summary of Podium Results:

Race 1

  • Mncendisi Mkhize: 3rd Place Youth Boys
  • Ongezo Mini: 2nd Place Youth Girls
  • Nomfundo Mtshali: 3rd Place Youth Girls

Race 3

  • Amahle Cane: 3rd Place Sub-Junior High Girls
  • Aphiwe Goge: 3rd Place Sub-Junior Primary Girls

Race 4

  • Aphiwe Goge: 3rd Place Sub-Junior Primary Girls
  • Phumelela Mkhunya: 3rd Place Sub-Junior Primary Boys

31

October

2018

Cycle Academy – KwaMashu Moms Complete Their First Cycle Race

It was an exciting day for four KwaMashu moms as they braved the Durban roads on two wheels for their first cycle race on Sunday, 21 October 2018. With the help of their Coach, Thobani Bhengu – who has been training them for two months leading up to the big event and riding the race alongside them on his BMX – the ladies successfully completed the 35km route of the Amashova Classic!

“One of the goals of the adult coaching programme is to build confidence in the riders to compete in races,” explains Thobani. “The ladies did very well for their first event, there were no mechanicals or injuries and we had a lot of fun along the route – they were even dancing when we stopped at the water tables!”

Their commitment to the classes and hard work is already paying off and, with a little bit more training, Thobani is confident that the riders will be able to take on longer and more technical races soon.

“I am so proud of the ladies for completing this challenge. Their fitness has improved a lot and we will continue training to be ready for the next one!”