A team of cyclists from Ghetto MTB Cycling Club has donated toiletry to Moeti JSS in Maun on the 26th April 2025 after embarking on a 573km cycling challenge from Francistown to Maun dubbed Ultra Marathon.
The aim of the challenge was to give club members training time ahead of upcoming competitions, while also giving back to the community, especially schools in villages along the route.
The team began the 582km cycling challenge in Francistown on the 24th April 2025 passing through Orapa/Letlhakane and completed the challenge on the 26th April 2025 in Maun.
In an interview, event organiser Aopa Gulubane said the journey from Francistown to Maun went well despite some challenges which included fatigue, tyre punctures and potholes. He stated that their intention was to donate to more schools, but could not do due to insufficient funds.
Gulubane has however indicated that they will make an effort to ensure that they fulfil their mandate and give back to some more schools. He indicated that most of their club members did not take part in the event due to other engagements.
One of the teachers who received the donations, Kealeboga Kale had indicated that the toiletry would help some of their vulnerable learners in their school. Kale has appreciated the Ghetto MTB Cycling Club for the donations, urging others to come on board with such initiatives.
Gulubane had previously noted that they also aim to see some parts of the country doing what they love the most as they usually cycle to villages that are less travelled to. Gulubane had mentioned that through the event they want to challenge their mental and physical endurance as they usually do a number of kilometres.
He noted that the challenge allows cyclists an opportunity to also appreciate the beauty of Botswana while doing what they love the most. Gulubane also mentioned that through the event they want to challenge their mental and physical endurance as they usually do a number of kilometres.
“We also intend to sell cycling sports to other Batswana who are not familiar with the sport and encourage them to join, and to promote cycling as an alternative to driving with multiple benefits to the environment and wellness,’’ he said.
Gulubane has told Times Sport that since they established the initiative some schools have benefited, including Mabesekwa and Changate primary schools as well as Matsiloje and Goshwe junior secondary schools.
According to Gulubane the cycling challenge from Francistown to Maun will be their fourth and longest. He said that during their first event they covered Tonota, Mabesekwa, Matsitama, Lepashe, Mosetse and Marapong while in the second one they covered Tonota, Mmadinare, Phikwe, Robelela, Matopi and Matsiloje.
He further stated that their third event covered Letsholathebe, Masunga, Gambule, Gungwe, Mbalambi, Goshwe, Changate, Dagwi, Maitengwe and Nkange.
The challenge was sponsored by Pure Work Investment Construction Company and Orange Mark Car Rental, a car rental company based in Gaborone, Francistown and Maun.
