​In celebration of Heritage Month, the City of Johannesburg and Regatammogo Sports Development and Life Skills jointly hosted the fourth annual Soweto Heritage Ride on Sunday, 26 September 2021.

The route started and ended at Emndeni Bus Terminus in Soweto. Water points included Morrison Isaacson High School, Vilakazi Street and Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication. In appreciating of what cycling does, Mandla Mdlalose, the Deputy Director for Sport and Recreation in the City of Johannesburg, said participants we used explored the township heritage on bicycles.

“Together with residents we develop unique, neighborhood-based programming, bike rides, and events that help build healthier communities. These events and programmes connect individuals to their community to build social networks, feel well and enjoy being active by cycling,” added Mdlalose.

Makgoka Moloto, the Chairperson of Regatammogo, said that the event went very well. “We celebrated Soweto and its heritage from the June 16 Trial to Mandela’s house, Vilakazi Square, Walter Sisulu Square and the Regina Mundi Catholic Church, which is also part of our heritage.”

The event also campaigned for safe road use for cyclists. “The taxi association joined us today to create road awareness for cyclists, and they agreed that that the roads need to be shared,” said Moloto.

Mpho Nkabi, one of the participants, had a lot of fun as he cycled the heritage ride. “This event happens once a year. What I enjoyed most was getting to ride in groups with my fellow community members around Soweto. We participated as a community as we had our aerobics people, netball people and many elderly people all took part in this Heritage Ride,” said Nkabi.

Nelly Nokwanele Ntsomi, the Project Manager based at Moletsane Sport Complex in Region D, said the tour took riderss back into South African history. She said it was an adventure, which allowed participants to get to know the different communities of Soweto and its history.