19 Jun 2018

Proceeds from the Karowe general manager’s cycle challenge will be used to establish a landmark facility in Letlhakane.

“The aim is to make an impact in the community within which the company operates. We want to work in close partnership with the community and make decisions with them, said Karowe Diamond Mine general manager, Johane Mchive during the cycle challenge on Saturday.

He said they were in the process of building a library in Letlhakane as well as a multipurpose sports facility.

“We are currently sitting at 70 per cent of budget with funds accumulated from past events.

The cycle challenge, which is on its fifth edition, started from humble beginnings with 10 cyclists and has grown significantly with over 250 participants,” he said.

He said it was a clear demonstration of what Karowe was doing; working in close contact with the community while the event had made the mine more visible.

Mchive said they had seen involvement from the local community with some people who were not employees of Karowe joining their team.

He said they had identified three youngsters that they would like to make them part of the Karowe team.

The guest speaker, Standard Chartered Bank chief executive officer, Benson Madisa said they intended to support Karowe on its projects in Boteti.

Madisa said the aim was to provide financial literacy amongst the community of Boteti to  ensure a healthy and educated community.

He stated that as the oldest bank to set-up in Boteti, they would like to take part in developing the area.

Vivo Energy general manager, Wayne Kingwill noted that it was crucial to obey traffic signs as cyclists, noting that there were still some cyclists who were failing to do so.

He advised them to never cycle facing oncoming traffic, adding that as Vivo Energy they were committed to zero harm to the environment.

Kingwill said cycling was not only about transportation but about access to education and uplifting the community.

Cyclists from John Mol Cycling Club won most of the awards in the challenge.  

The 110 kilometres under 23 female category was snatched by Bonno Motlhetlhi of John Mol recording 3hrs 52 minutes 20 seconds and she won P3 500.

The 110 kilometres elite female category was won by Promise Ntshese of Team Swift recording 3hrs 16 mins 10 seconds and walked home with P3 500, seconded by Nonofo Maswabi of John Mol recording 3 hrs 17 minnutes  55 seconds and pocketing won P2 800 while Segomotso Ditlhakeng came third in 3 hrs 35 minutes 30 seconds to win P2 000.

The junior male category 110 kilometres was won by Lotlamoreng Ikaneng of John Mol in 3 hrs 6 mins 30 seconds snatching P2 000. Bokang Tlhobogang of Jwaneng recorded 3hrs 7mins 5 seconds and pocketed P1 500. Matlhgonolo Botlhole of John Mol recorded 3 hrs 24 mins 10 seconds.

The 110 kilometres elite male category was won by Abeng Malete of Team Swift in 2 hours 47 minutes 45 seconds getting a prize money of P3 500.

He was followed by Amogelang Thwabi of BotRail who recorded 2hours 52mins 40 seconds followed by Nkulumo Dube in 2 hours 52minutes 40 seconds.

The category of 110 kilometres male veterans was scooped by Tshotego Mogotsi of Jwaneng recording 3hours 6 mins 30 seconds followed by Themba Matebu of Jwaneng and Moagi Sewawa. ENDS