Coffeeberry-RASA-2014
- By: Con Malherbe
- Short URL: https://archive.backabuddy.co.za/coffeeberry
- Date Created: 9 April 2020
Personal message
This year, for the first time, I will be taking up the challenge of doing the Freedom Challenge or RASA (Race Across South Africa), a gruelling 2300 km journey from Pietermaritzburg to Cape Town.
My late Grandfather, Dr E G Malherbe, who was rector of the University of Natal from 1943 – 1965, worked tirelessly to encourage the then government to provide quality education for all South Africans. He believed that education was the key to transforming South Africa. Whilst “tripping” the route between Maritzburg and Rhodes in preparation for the race, we passed through many rural communities and I was astonished at the number of unemployed youth in these areas, who obviously have not had an opportunity to receive the kind of quality education that he advocated. Whilst riding past Mariazell High School near Matatiele, it occurred to me that I could make a difference to at least one of these young people by following in the footsteps of my Grandfather and joining the “Class of 2014” in riding this race for a bigger purpose. Mariazell is a Catholic mission school which is the official charity of the Freedom Challenge, and for good reason. Established in 1904, the school has a proud history of providing quality education, achieving an almost 100% matric pass rate. Prominent South African leaders such as Mosiuoa Lekota and Albertina Sisulu were products of this school. I am therefore confident that any sponsorship that I manage to raise for my race will be put to good use in providing bursaries for promising pupils from this largely impoverished local community.
Coffeeberry Cafe has raised funds for various causes over the years through campaigns such as “Cappuccinos for Cancer” and “Cappuccinos for Conservation”. This time we are doing it for the children. I personally pledge to contribute R 1 for every award-winning cappuccino that we sell whilst I am riding the Freedom Challenge. I am starting on 11 June 2014, and my plan is to complete the journey in 19 days. My appeal is for our customers and suppliers to support me on my epic expedition across our beautiful land by contributing towards the education and upliftment of a child, their community, and ultimately, our country.
For further details on the race, visit www.freedomchallenge.co.za. Please click on DONATE to make your contribution
Donations
- Jul 11, 2014 - R 100.00
- "Keep up the good work Con!" - Rob Gee
- Jul 01, 2014 - R 500.00
- "What a great journey with a great cause! Enjoy the ride, we are enjoying the pictures!" - EAP Active
- Jun 29, 2014 - R 100.00
- "Thanks and good luck with tis worthy voyage" - Gail R
- Jun 13, 2014 - R 100.00
- "Good luck Con. Enjoy the ride!" - Craig M
- Jun 12, 2014 - R 200.00
- "Go go go, the cappucino is on you!" - Go Coffeeberry
Statistics
Fundraising target
R 10 000.00Donations to date
R 1 000.00Freedom Challenge Scholarship Fund
Over the last number of years participants in the events arranged by the Freedom Challenge have expressed an interest in giving back something to the people along the route. After much consideration we have decided that a good starting point would be to establish an educational fund to benefit the scholars living along the Mehloding section of the trail. This section falls within the area formerly known as the Transkei and has been identified in various social development studies as one of the poorest parts of the South Africa.
The Fund offers a 3 year scholarships for promising students to attend the private school located at the Mariazell Mission just below the Malekhalonyane Chalets which is one of our support stations used for the Ride Across South Africa and Ride to Rhodes events. http://www.wix.com/allensharp1/fcsf
We are now challenging the 2014 FC participants to let their mountain biking passion benefit the local communities that span the Freedom Trail. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute directly to uplift the knowledge and lives of individuals and communities through education.
The Fund is run under the auspices of The Freedom Challenge’s annual, extreme and unsupported, mountain bike race extending from Pietermaritzburg to Cape Town www.freedomchallenge.org.za This is a project of the Freedom Trail Foundation.