Cyclists from Botswana and South Africa will set off from Jwaneng on Sunday, 20 September, for an 800km charity ride to Maun in support of community health and youth development.
The Albert Milton Foundation’s AM640+ Charity Cycle Challenge will bring together elite cyclists, recreational riders and corporate teams. It honours the late Debswana managing director, Albert Milton, who was himself an avid cyclist.
The journey will end at Bana Ba Letsatsi, an organisation supporting vulnerable children and young people in Maun. Bomaid and Chobe Holdings have donated and installed three water geysers at the facility, with the official handover scheduled for 24 September.
For foundation founder and trustee Albertinah Milton, who will also take part, the challenge goes beyond completing the distance.
“Covering nearly 800 kilometres demands discipline, rigorous preparation, and physical resilience. But the true driver behind every kilometre is impact,” she said.
“We are riding to mobilize real support for the communities along this route who benefit from the Foundation’s initiatives.”
The foundation is also working towards establishing a national cycling academy to nurture local talent, extending its ambitions beyond the annual charity challenge.
Bomaid has contributed more than P100,000 towards this year’s event. Its chief executive officer, Moraki Mokgosana, will lead the corporate contingent as chief rider.
Mokgosana said the partnership linked the promotion of active living with support for communities.
“As Chief Rider, I am proud that our team is taking on these kilometres to demonstrate that personal wellness can be a powerful vehicle for social good,” he said.
Bomaid customers will also be able to contribute without joining the cyclists on the road. Through the Thrive with Bomaid app, they can convert accumulated reward points into financial contributions towards community projects supported by the challenge.
“You do not have to cycle from Jwaneng to Maun to make a difference,” Mokgosana said.
“Every step our customers take toward their personal health can now directly support vulnerable communities. We encourage all our customers to convert their Thrive points and join us in this collective effort.”
Assistant Minister of Health Lawrence Ookeditse is expected to join representatives of the foundation, Bomaid and other corporate partners at Sunday’s flag-off in Jwaneng.
