Being on a bike gives one a lot of freedom, you have to use all your facilities, your body needs to be aligned.

Growing up as the only girl among 10 male cousins, Buhle Madlala was pushed to do activities that were not conventional for girls. She also always wanted to take “the road less travelled”, a perfect fit for her cycling ambitions, which she does as a social and recreational activity.

She also loves the aspect of commitment that bike riding requires. If one rides a distance halfway and is tired, turning back will be just as difficult as finishing.

Her passion for cycling also led her to examine the social aspects of the sport, which has traditionally been seen as elite or white. Operating since 2016, Madlala heads up The National Cycling Academy Forum, a nationwide nonprofit organisation made up of more than 30 cycling academies, to create equal opportunities in cycling.

The forum is involved in several initiatives, including formalising cycling races in townships, donations of bikes and policy discussions to make bike riding safer.

“We are establishing a lot of talent, most if it is not acknowledged formally. We are working to increase participation, access to coaches,” she says.

Madlala points out that where cycling lanes have been installed in townships and lower income areas, there has been little education about them and people see them as part of the pavement and park their cars in them. She believes government should be having serious conversations about improving access to cycling, while incorporating the legacy of apartheid spatial patterns.

Planning premium cycling events in townships is part of Madlala’s passion, which she also does as her day job with an events planning business. The 2010 Fifa World Cup was her defining career moment; while working on a communications project, she decided to open an events planning company with a business partner. They have since garnered high profile clients such as the Delicious International Food & Music Festival.

“I’ve faced quite a lot of challenges without support. Entrepreneurship is very, very lonely,” she says.

— Tehillah Niselow

Twitter: @BuhleMadlala