MEC for the Department of Culture, Arts and Traditional Affairs (Cata) Ms Tebogo Modise has lauded singer and television personality Stoan Seate and his fellow celebrity friends for their inspiration to the youth of Bokone Bophirima and their fight against xenophobia.
Speaking on Sunday in Johannesburg at the send-off ceremony for the 10-odd cyclists who are participating in the five-day Johannesburg-Mahikeng charity tour, Ms Modise challenged Seate and his friends to identify artists along the 340km route who could benefit from the assistance of the Department.
“As you go through the many villages, townships and small dorpies of Bokone Bophirima, I would like you to interact with talented artists you believe are worthy of being taken to the next level,” she told the cyclists. “We will support those artists, in one way or another.”
In reference to the tour itself, Ms Modises said: “The musician is a son of the North West and now he has made it clear that he wants to take this trip as part of his acknowledgement of the skills provided to him by the Province,” added Ms Modise. “We support him wholeheartedly in his drive.”
The team features ten riders, including actors Thato Molamu (Umlilo), seasoned cyclist and team leader Warren Masemola (Ayeye), Celebrity Fitness Instructor Mamo Maloka and other philanthropists from Botswana, Bokone Bophirima and Gauteng. Along the way they will be joined by other riders supporting the cause.
The tour runs from May 3-7, covering around 60 kilometres a day.
Dubbed Ikgate Motlhala 2015 tour, the cycling experience is organised under the umbrella of Seate’s 4020 Phenomenon. The tour is geared towards getting the Mahikeng-born artist to celebrate his Bokone Bophirima roots, while marking his 40th birthday and 20 years in the music industry.
Explaining the essence of the 4020 Phenomenon, Seate said: “The 4020 Phenomenon serves a philanthropic catalyst that aims to contribute and improve learning and enrichment of young people through education, arts and health. We seek to become agents of change through giving, support and providing the necessary resources to schools and early development centres.”
In the spirit of promoting Bokone Bophirima’s magnificent scenery, the route will take riders through places of interests across the Province affording cyclists the opportunity to connect with nature and local culture.
As part of the programme, Seate will be visiting schools and promoting indigenous culture. He will seek to inspire members of the communities that he will be stopping at, along the way.
Commenting on the effort, Seate said: “This is a remarkable milestone for me and I want to share it with the world by giving back to the community that I grew up in. The sense of satisfaction at completing the ride whilst raising money, touching lives and networking with other givers is what this ride is all about.
“We are also sending a message against Xenophobia. We say we are all Africans and we are one. Let’s stop the attacks and live like brothers and sisters.”
Regarding the schools, he will help identify critical needs with a view towards finding partners to help where possible.
Some of the major stops are Hartebeespoort, Mojakaneng, Tlhabane, Swartruggenns and Zeerust.
The cycle tour is scheduled to end at noon on May 7, at Mmabana Foundation in Mahikeng.
*Supporters who would like to donate to the campaign can engage us via 4020 Phenomenon website by clicking http://www.4020phenomenon.co.za or mail stoan@4020phenomenon.co.za or find Stoan Seate (Stoanito) on Twitter and Instagram.
-TDN
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The Guardian 