Qhubeka

Qhubeka is an Nguni (Zulu, Xhosa) word that means “to carry on”, “to progress”, “to move forward”.

Qhubeka projects aim to help rural communities move forward and progress by giving bicycles to children in return for work done to improve their environment and their community.

Team MTN-Qhubeka is Africa’s most winning and largest multi-discipline pro cycle race team. The talented athletes in Team MTN race to build exposure for Qhubeka’s rural initiatives and ride to inspire potential new athletes within the community of Qhubeka bike recipients.

Fast Facts

• More than 100,000 bikes distributed since 2004
• Child’s commute to school reduced by 75%
• Sport Infrastructure cost per child reduced by 90%
• Micro-finance loan recipient earnings increased by 500%
• Healthcare worker OVC visits increased by 400%

Transportation is a fundamental element of development

Most of Africa’s rural population have no access to transport and people have to walk long distances to access opportunity, education, healthcare, shops and community services. Rural schoolchildren are particularly badly affected by lack of mobility. In South Africa, of the 16 million school going children, 12 million walk to school. Of these, 500,000 walk more than two hours each way, spending four hours getting to and back from school each day. Bicycles are the most effective and economical method of quickly addressing this problem.

Volunteers and Partners

Qhubeka is a volunteer organisation. Qhubeka is governed by a board of directors who are executives mainly from a commercial background and who give of their time without financial consideration.

Technical input into design and component sourcing is provided by the technical expertise of World Bicycle Relief.

How is Qhubeka funded?

• Bike sales
• Corporate Social Development funds
• Corporate Sponsors & Donors
• Consulting
• Events
• Fund Raisers
• Individual Donors
• Merchandise sales
• Sports Team endorsement