09 Jul 2014

Many people in the country might associate cycling with countries referred to as the first world. 



They do not see it as anything that one can hugely benefit from and even earn a living in this largely conservative sport fraternity. 



However, Lesedi Setlhare is one of the few individuals who has taken it upon himself to shed some light to other young people about the sport.



Prompted by the high level of unemployment in the country, the 31-year-old from Mahalapye said in an interview that he started a business in cycling not only as a way to earn a living but also as a way to contribute towards the growth of the sport in the country. 



Setlhare said he has been in the cycling business for seven years both as a cycler, participating in the sport and working with bicycles.

 He said he has worked for different companies in the country and outside in places such as Johannesburg in South Africa and when his contract with the neighbouring country company expired, he decided to go into business.


Setlhare said he started his business in November 2012 and credits the Youth Development Fund (YDF) for the establishment. 



The YDF funded him with P80000, which he said he used to buy bicycles and equipment’s used for repairing bicycle and equipment used for repairing bicycles. He said he used some amount to buy spares.



“Initially I wanted to pursue this business in Gaborone but when I learnt that there is no one in Francistown doing this as compared to Gaborone, I relocated,” he said.

 He said when processing the application for the funds, he encountered less challenges mainly because his idea was unique. 



The business includes repairing bicycle and selling them and even though he is in business, he is more inspired by the fact that he wants to promote cycling as a sport.



“Cycling is a good sport that can take a person to greater heights and it is also good for one’s health,” he said.

 Setlhare said cycling promotes physical fitness in that one encounters less fatigue and the chances of high blood pressure and diabetes are limited. 



He said cycling can also be done as a sport and there by one can get sponsored by companies inside or outside the country to pursue the sport and even earn scholarships.



Setlhare said he markets his business using flyers, business cards and posters as well as during the races that people get to know about his business. 
 
He said he came together with other cyclists to start “Three Rivers Race” last year and they had the first race end of August 2013. 



Setlhare said they cycled from Pome golf club to Tantabane golf club, which is a distance of 80 kilometres (km) and over fifty cyclists participated and the race had more than 10 sponsors.

 “The suitable kind of bicycle for that race was the mountain bike because it is a gravel road” he said.


Setlhare said they also had a race last year on the 12th of October riding from Francistown to Mokubilo, which is a distance of 100 km and raised funds to the tune of P20 000. 

He said there were only seven participants including himself and the prize money was used to build a structure for orphans in that village.



Setlhare said he is currently awaiting the race in Matobo on the 30th of September where he has been invited to educate people about cycling.



He has since started a cycling club called Francistown cycling, which he hopes will reach the level of others clubs like Tsela Riders and the Kalahari challenges.

“I think most people view the sport as a luxury, lacking knowledge that it is something that one can earn a living from. I find that I am mostly supported by white people,” he said.



He said his wish is to see more people engaging in the sport and currently tries to pull in the unemployed youth into his club.
 
“Some cyclists started in small clubs like this one and they got recognition, today some of them live abroad and they have earned scholarships from these big companies,” he said.



Setlhare encouraged the youth to open their eyes to opportunities as there are many of them out there. 
ENDS