Nederburg Wines and Qhubeka Charity recently held a bicycle-building event
at Eyethu Lifestyle Centre in Soweto, to spread a message of hope and
highlight their ongoing commitment to help change lives in South Africa.
The bike-building event saw five teams of five members building a total of
five bicycles. The process references the upright hand in the Qhubeka logo
and branding, which symbolises a hand-up rather than a hand-out, according
to Matt Fendick, Qhubeka’s chief client relations manager.
“This is the principle upon which Qhubeka’s work is based. It’s not about
hand-outs. Instead we reward hard work in various forms, by means of a
hand-up, a tool – the Qhubeka bicycle – to achieve socio-economic progress
in South African communities,” Fendick explained.
The event was concluded with a wine and food pairing, presented by
Nederburg’s managing director, Niël Groenewald and talented Soweto chef,
Mahlomola Thamae.
A perfect pairing
Nederburg and Qhubeka have been in partnership since 2016, the same year
that Qhubeka’s bicycle assembly facility in the Western Cape was established
at Nederburg in Paarl. Here, a number of previously unemployed women from
the local community have been trained in building bikes for Qhubeka, thereby
allowing them the chance to earn an income and develop critical skills.
These women work under the mentorship of Beverley Roode and Janine Johnson,
both of whom are qualified bicycle mechanics.
Related
Since 2016, a variety of Qhubeka projects have benefited from Nederburg’s
support. Nederburg has funded bicycles for various initiatives that help
people to earn bicycles, which help them travel faster, further and carry
more. These have included programmes to boost community safety,
environmental sustainability, tourism and entrepreneurship.
Upcoming milestones
“The next project we’re turning our attention to, is the Orange Farm
Community Policing Forum (CPF) in Gauteng,” said Groenewald. “On 17 October,
we’ll be distributing 100 bicycles to members of this dedicated network of
individuals who give tirelessly to promote and establish safer communities
where inhabitants can live and work without the fear and stress associated
with crime.
“Bicycles help CPF members carry out their community safety patrols more
efficiently, with more effect. We are excited to be involved.”
Groenewald added that Qhubeka is nearing its distribution of 100 000
bicycles. “As the charity celebrates this important milestone later in
October, we’d like to celebrate the incredible work they’ve done over the
years. We are proud to have been involved in helping Qhubeka to change more
lives with bicycles.”
Nederburg has also supported Qhubeka’s vision of re-shoring bicycle
manufacturing to South Africa, with the establishment of the Real Bicycle
Co. (RBC), a Qhubeka subsidiary, based in Berlin, East London. “The focus
here is on producing top quality bicycles. These are supplied into Qhubeka’s
bicycle programmes, as well as the spare parts supply chain across the
country,” Fendick said. “The plant is now geared for an output of parts for
around 400 bicycles per week. Bicycles are then assembled at our two
assembly facilities, one of which is based at Nederburg. Controlling the
whole manufacturing and assembly process accelerates our momentum in
changing lives, whilst boosting local rural employment.”
