Absa Pride Riders continue to support young Diepsloot mountain bikers

(South Africa, 6 June 2016) This weekend a number of Absa Pride Riders who participated in the 2016 Absa Cape Epic continued their support and commitment to the Diepsloot Mountain Bike Academy (DMA).

Ray Wilson, Absa Pride Rider and owner of Biketique, made good on his promise and donated 10 brand new mountain bikes. The DMA riders also received cycling kit and accessories while Adidas South Africa, in aiming to empower young runners, handed over 35 pairs of running shoes from their road and trail running series, towards the DMA’s newly formed running club.

Today’s handover follows a similar initiative in April, when Absa Pride Riders committed to mentoring several DMA riders, in line with the bank’s ReadytoWork initiative. ReadytoWork is Barclays Africa’s pan-African initiative aimed at helping young people build the skills they need to make the critical transition from education into the world of work.

As part of Absa’s ongoing support of the DMA, which stretches back to 2014, the Absa Pride Riders have, over the years, donated a host of cycling essentials, providing the DMA riders with the much needed tools to help them excel and reach their full potential.

Matshepo Majola, General Manager, Group Marketing for Barclays Africa, said: “Absa consistently strives to leverage our sponsorship properties such as the Absa Cape Epic to support our local communities.  In addition to the donation of equipment by our Absa Pride riders, through our Absa Cape Epic internship programme we have given DMA youngsters training and support to enhance their employability prospects.”

She added: “We are proud to support the DMA’s community objectives of providing a safe platform for indigent youngsters to become better bikers and to enable strong educational support for its members.”

At Saturday’s handover a number of Absa Pride Riders, including Mike Augoustides from Mike's Bikes, Barclays Africa Chief Risk Officer, Arrie Rautenbach, and Nigel Payne, Chairman of the Mr Price Group, embarked on a training ride with the young members of the DMA. This was followed by a tour of the various facilities at Northern Farm, the DMA’s headquarters.

“Absa will be announcing another exciting initiative with the DMA in due course. Be on the look-out for this as it will be open to public participation,” concluded Majola.

Pic Caption: Ray Wilson owner of Biketique with Andre Ross Head of Financial Institutions Group Africa for Corporate and Investment Banking Africa, and Mike Augoustides from Mike's Bikes

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Bheki MpofuMedia Relations ManagerGroup Marketing and Communication

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