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Shova Kalula bicycle projects reaches more rural learners
4 July 2008
The Eastern Cape Department of Roads and Transport's Shova Kalula Bicycle Project has passed its target of distributing 2 110 bicycles to needy schools in the 2008/09 financial year.
This project assists learners who travel long distances to reach schools to arrive on time. These include learners from rural areas and farm schools.
In the last financial year, R2,5 million was spent on the acquisition of 5 333 bicycles, school bags and helmets, which were distributed to schools with a particular focus on learners that walk 15 kilometres and longer to reach their schools.
The department has acquired six containers that are fully equipped with spares and equipment that are used as bicycle maintenance shops. These shops will be developed as a further job creation and small, medium and micro enterprises (SMME) development initiative in terms of which specifically identified members of the communities will be trained to maintain bicycles and run a bicycle shop for their own account. For this purpose such individuals will receive training and support to manage a business properly.
The National Department of Transport has indicated that they will procure approximately 30 000 bicycles for distribution to deserving learners in our province. This will make a huge difference to those learners that have to walk long distances to access schools.
Furthermore, the department has reserved a certain number of bicycles, which are additional to the annual target, for special requests and this year's list of special request is as follows:
* 70 bicycles, school bags and helmets, which were donated to seven schools in the Blue Crane Municipality during the African National Congress (ANC) Chief Whip's Constituency Outreach Programme in May 2008.
* 100 bicycles, schoolbags and helmets have already been delivered to Qumbu Technical School and are ready for an official hand over by MEC Thobile Mhlahlo soon.
* 250 bicycles are ready for distribution to schools in the Ukhahlamba District.
* 32 bicycles, helmets and schoolbags were handed over to Thembalesizwe Computer Technical Senior Secondary School at Mbizana during the Public Service Week last month.
* 150 bicycles will soon be handed over in the Amathole District.
There are pending requests that are waiting to be verified if they qualify for Shova-Kalula Project, which include bicycles for Ngwenyeni Junior Secondary School in the Alfred Ndzo District and from Eastern Cape Youth Commissioner Sinethemba Mashalaba for Cala Schools.
To further promote non-motorised transport, the department has allocated five million rand to conduct proper research into animal-drawn vehicles.
Enquiries:
Ncedo Kumbaca
Cell: 082 442 2388
Issued by: Ministry for Safety, Liaison, Roads and Transport, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
4 July 2008