Sindile Mavundla, known as Cape Town’s “Bicycle Mayor,” is on a mission to inspire more girls in Khayelitsha township to embrace cycling. Guiding young girls on their bikes through the streets, the 34-year-old uses his Khaltsha Cycling Academy to teach first-time riders, offering new opportunities in a community where resources are scarce.
“In many townships, girls have limited access to sports. But cycling can transform lives,” Mavundla said.
Launched in 2022, the academy now has 30 members, with an increasing number of girls eager to learn. Some of the students, who once walked long distances to school, are now discovering the freedom that cycling provides.
In a heartwarming moment, one girl, cheered on by her classmates, managed to cycle for the first time with Mavundla’s encouragement, bringing joy and a sense of achievement to the group.
Mavundla’s role as “Bicycle Mayor” is part of a global cycling initiative by Amsterdam-based Bycs, with similar advocates in cities across Africa, including Nairobi and Lagos. In Khayelitsha, a township marked by poverty, Mavundla’s work is helping to break barriers, giving young girls the confidence to ride toward a brighter future.