The sani2c team has formalised their structure to enable sponsors to become B-BBEE partners and build their B-BBEE scorecard through their involvement. B-BBEE points are earned via enterprise development, supplier development and socio–economic development.
For sani2c founder and organiser “Farmer” Glen Haw, this has widened the scope of what the event can do to support the many communities along the race route: “sani2c was started to raise funds for the farm school my children attended at the time. While we are thrilled that the event has grown into the largest mountain bike stage race in the world, we want to ensure that our community beneficiaries remain empowered through employment opportunities, skills development and the provision of infrastructure.
“Education is the key to our childrens’ futures, and our continued support of the 16 schools that benefit from sani2c each year is of huge importance to us,” he added.
During the 2018 KAP sani2c, community members provided R10m in services to the event – the innovative community model for the event sees volunteers from schools and charitable organisations provide services such as catering at the race villages, shuttles for riders’ vehicles, amongst others, and the funds then go to those organisations and schools.
In addition, the sani2c Development Trust assists with many social development initiatives. The trust has recently purchased land for R1.3m, giving security to the newly established Kings Harvest Academy to develop the infrastructure needed to expand. Lynford School, which was the first beneficiary of the sani2c race, has developed hugely during the 14 years of the event and it now serves the wider farming community in the Ixopo area. The school has grown by 40% in the last five years, and has been able to award bursaries to 33 learners who would otherwise not be able to afford to attend the school.
