From Jozi to Cape Town | Cyclists complete 19th Route of the African Sun Charity Cycle Tour

Ten cyclists participating in the 19th Route of the African Sun Charity Cycle Tour finally crossed the finish line at GrandWest in Cape Town after an intense 1 749-kilometre journey that began on 27 February.

The team, which completed the tour in eight stages, was met with a festive welcome as marimba music played in front of the Grand Hotel at GrandWest to celebrate their incredible achievement.

Johann Maré, organiser of the event, expressed his pride in the cyclists' dedication: “This year, the Route of the African Sun Charity Cycle Tour attracted cyclists from across the globe. We are thrilled with the diversity and spirit of this group, who pushed their limits for a great cause. Their efforts have been truly inspiring.”

Among the cyclists was Ernest Horn, a 69-year-old from Bloemfontein who has now completed the Tour for an impressive 16th time. Horn, reflecting on the experience, shared: "This is a great experience, like we would say in South Africa, dit gaan oor vasbyt (it's about perseverance). It teaches you the ultimate endurance to carry on, come rain or shine, whether you're riding with or against the wind. What is even more amazing is that you get to marvel at our country’s beauty, from the Karoo to the mountains, all while receiving so much support."

The only female rider in the group, Estelle Gous, who joined the team just a month ago, joked:

"You can call us crazy, determined, loyal, whatever, but we made it." Gous, who took part in her first-ever Charity Cycle Tour, explained her decision to join.

"I told myself you will never do what you want if you just wait... So here I am." She added, "This is all about giving back. You get so much, so when you get the chance to give back, you do it."

The cyclists’ hard work culminated in a meaningful gesture of giving back, with over R100 000 in donations being distributed to various charities supported by Sun International’s properties, including GrandWest.

One of the recipients of these donations was Vivian Ziloncana, the founder of an Early Childhood Development Centre (ECD) in need of financial assistance. Ziloncana shared her heartfelt gratitude:

"This means a lot of things for us. We envisioned so much for our ECD, and this makes it possible, especially after COVID. We had to make provisions because many people lost their jobs and are still recovering financially.

"But we cannot fail our kids; they need to be fed and learn in a safe environment. Now we can finally do the upgrades. This is the biggest blessing of 2025."

The tour, which has become an iconic fundraising event over the years, has raised more than R11 million for various causes since its inception.

This year, the cyclists’ efforts directly benefited numerous charities, including CANSA, the Sun City AIDS Orphanage Housing Project, and Sinothando Children’s Home.

Mervyn Naidoo, General Manager at GrandWest, expressed admiration for the cyclists: "We are in awe of the effort these cyclists have put in to raise funds for organisations and children in need. After cycling 1,749km, we are planning a warm Cape Town and GrandWest welcome for them. We salute them and wish them well as they head into the Cape Town Argus Tour on Sunday."

tracy-lynn.ruiters@inl.co.za

Weekend Argus