Social Innovation
Meet the man training a new generation of South African cyclists
The Bonga Cycling Academy is training the next great cyclists from South Africa and breaking down barriers for black riders in the process.
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Meet the Bonga Cycling Academy
Bonga Ngqobane is bringing competitive cycling to South African youths with his Bonga Cycling Academy.
Bonga Ngqobane first came to the cycling world's attention when he finished top fifth in the ultra-tough ABSA Cape Epic mountain bike race stage race in 2014.
A year later, he took on another challenge when he launched the Bonga Cycling Academy from his friend's parents' garage in Khayelitsha, one of Cape Town's poorest ghettos.
Ngqobane is South Africa's first black professional cycling coach and his academy runs a daily training programme for 34 young cyclists. The academy also runs a road running programme for the 16 kids on the waiting list for the cycling school so that their fitness levels remain in check while they await their spot.
Bonga Cycling Academy founder Bonga Ngqobane
© Ryk Otto
One of the Bonga Cycling Academy stellar protégées is Thandazo Koyo from Khayelitsha, who joined BCA aged 20 and quickly became the first of their riders to join Sampada, an all-star team of elite black South African cyclists owned by black businessman and avid cyclist, Bruce Malele.
"The kid went from a township like Khayelitsha to living in the upmarket suburbs of Pretoria East, where Sampada is based. He took on cycling as an extra activity and a year later he was competing at a pan-African level," says Ngqobane proudly.
BCA also supported Koyo to become an internationally accredited bicycle mechanic and he now runs the repairs aspect of the academy, collaborating with Cape Town cycle shop Olympic Cycles, where there's a call and collect agreement for used bicycle parts.
Bonga Cycling Academy's cramped storage area could barely squeeze in eight bicycles, but by early 2018, he'd raised enough money and support to purchase 34 communal bicycles. He solved the storage problem by allowing the academy's boys to go home with the bikes, where they're responsible for keeping them safe.
Sceptics in Ngqobane's own neighbourhood shook their heads at the idea of a black South African man making it in what's seen as a predominantly white and elitist sport. "To get a bike, helmet, shoes and clothing is around R30,000 ($2,400) per rider, and that's just at an entry level. That's why cycling was historically reserved for the white elites," he explains.
Bonga Cycling Academy now has over 30 students
© Ryk Otto
Now he wants to cycle up Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for his severely under-resourced cycling club.
Although Ngqobane made national news coaching the national Under-23 team, successfully completing the Kilimanjaro climb would make world history. "There are a few people who've successfully cycled up Mount Kilimanjaro," says the 27-year-old. "But no black person has actually cycled up the mountain so I would be setting a record by accomplishing this feat."
BCA also runs an education programme and regular spelling competitions to help students improve their technical English, in order to improve their chances of successfully completing school or university.
All of this activity is run from BCA's humble headquarters, a shipping container planted on a dusty field in Khayelitsha, which Ngqobane and his students use as an office, library and classroom. His medium-term plan is to acquire six to 10 more containers to convert into classrooms, offices and a world class cycling lifestyle centre. "Maybe we could also get a K-Way [outdoor clothing and hiking gear brand] store in there," he says with a grin.
As the recently appointed Head of Transformation for Cycle South Africa (CSA), Ngqobane's already got 39 cycling academies across the country to register and report to the National Cycling Academy Forum. "My position has influenced a lot of important decision makers in the CSA however the things I've done are still small. They're not really tangible or easily measurable, but its something, and surely we'll get there."
Bonga Cycling Academy's humble home
© Ryk Otto
Less than a year after his appointment, Ngqobane coached the country's U23 national cycling team at the Tour de L'Espoir in Cameroon, where they finished in the top 10. Two months later, in March 2018, he accompanied another group of six riders for Sampada to the Tour de Taiwan, where the team finished top 10 again.
The only thing holding him back for his next challenge – Mount Kilimanjaro – is finances.
Ngqobane is attempting to raise R100,000 ($8 000) with a view to attempting the ride before spring of 2019, although he's managed to bring the costs down by making the most of the local environment. "The costs will not include high altitude training because I can practice at Table Mountain, which has free entrance," he explains.
Bonga Cycling Academy functions 100 percent on donations
© Ryk Otto
It's estimated that about seven people die annually trying to ascend Kilimanjaro, but the risks won't stop Bonga from realising his dream of creating the top cycling centre he envisions for Khayalitsha.
"I'm not doing it because I want to get famous, I'm doing it to create awareness of Bonga Cycling Academy," he says. "A lot of youths today are lost and looking for a place to belong. I'm building this as a centre where kids looking for a purpose can meet up, catch up with school work and discover high performance cycling."
Visit www.bcyclingacademy.org for more info on the academy.