Pedalling To Lift A Nation’s Spirit
A young Bestmed Tshwane Classic organiser Mauritz Meyer (left), pictured here with former president FW de Klerk (centre) and honorary lifelong Vereeniging councillor Dick Fourie in 1984. Meyer believes Pretoria’s fast-growing signature mass participation cycling race presents the perfect platform to reignite the ideals of unity and reconciliation in Pretoria and become a new beacon of hope in the current tough socio-economic climate in South Africa.
The Bestmed Tshwane Classic is not just a very special celebratory day out for thousands of passionate cyclists. At its core it also represents the drive of South Africa’s capital and its people to edge forward in difficult social and economic circumstances, showcasing the fact that nothing gets our great nation down.
“At the moment our nation has to deal with more and more bad news every day. It really is a tough time in the history of our country,” says Bestmed Tshwane Classic race organiser Mauritz Meyer from the Hectic Promotions non-profit company.
75-year-old Meyer has spent his life in sport and politics. He was personal assistant to former rugby boss and business icon Louis Luyt and spent a long time at the side of former president FW de Klerk in the early years of his career.
“My time with Dr Luyt was in the lead-up and during the presentation of the Rugby World Cup in 1995. Luyt’s attitude to the World Cup and the incredible success of the event showed me what a huge difference personal passion and sport can make.
“Before the World Cup in 1995 there was so much uncertainty and many South Africans felt like we were standing on the edge of a cliff. The World Cup changed this picture and instilled excitement and hope which carried us into a new South Africa.
75-year-old Meyer receives a bicycle prize which was donated to the Bestmed Tshwane Classic by TheBicycleCompany owner David Labuschagne.
“South Africans are the most resilient nation in the world. We literally look for excuses to convince ourselves that everything will be okay. Our positive attitude is unique in the world,” says Meyer.
“In this environment I believe the Bestmed Tshwane Classic has all the attributes to become an annual catalyst for unity and reconciliation in Pretoria. In addition, the event’s community-based charity projects bring hope for the poor.
“We are presenting Pretoria residents with something they can be proud of, triggering that great positive spirit that defines us as South Africans.”
“It’s in this spirit that I believe the Bestmed Tshwane Classic can make a difference in Pretoria and be a new beacon of hope in the current tough climate in South Africa where all sorts of tensions have arisen again over the past 25 years.
“Against the backdrop of the continuing economic slump, the growth of the Tshwane Classic has been nothing less than a miracle,” said Meyer.
Before 5 November 2017, Pretoria’s normally bustling roads had never been closed to traffic and made exclusively available for cyclists. The 2017 edition of the Bestmed Tshwane Classic attracted 5000 riders and it was a historic moment for Pretoria and for cycling. Last year the event grew remarkably to host more than 7000 riders and the organisation is expecting more than 12 000 cyclists this year.
“The establishment of the race is a dream come true for me. I had been involved in cycling race presentation for 15 years before embarking on the Bestmed Tshwane Classic. It started with the Bestmed Campus2Campus SuperClassic and the Walkerville Mountain-Bike Classic many years ago.”
“I had never felt a veritable ‘calling’ to present an event until the idea of the Bestmed Tshwane Classic came along. I remember very clearly, one early Spring morning four years ago, I woke up very lucid with a message instilled in me that I had to present a race for Pretoria.
“I started work on it and four years on it’s unbelievable to see what has transpired. I can’t help but believe that there is a force at work here and I am just one of the tools to make it happen,” he enthusiastically smiles.
The 2019 Bestmed Tshwane Classic, presented in association with Office National and Jacaranda FM, takes place on 3 November at the Voortrekker Monument and presents distance options of 95km, 60km and 20km. Kids are also catered for with two different rides inside the Monument’s grounds.
For more information go to:
Follow the race on Facebook @tshwaneclassic
Pictures: Supplied
For backround view the Kwela insert on Mauritz Meyer: https://vimeo.com/312937615
About Bestmed:
Bestmed is a non – profit, mutual medical scheme registered with the Council of Medical Schemes. It has been providing quality healthcare to the lives of South Africans for over 52 years.
Bestmed owes its continued growth and success to its loyal members’. Bestmed is by members, for members and this philosophy is at the essence of the organisation. Bestmed is passionate about enhancing the quality of healthcare for its members’ and takes pride in its tailored Beat, Pace and Pulse plan options.
For more information, please visit www.bestmed.co.za
About Hectic Promotions: Hectic Promotions is a registered non-profit corporation and boasts a proven record of accomplishment in presenting mass participation cycling events which fulfil the requirements of sponsors, stakeholders and participants.
It is one of the foremost cycling event organisation companies in South Africa with a long history of presenting prestigious events on the national cycling calendar that benefit several community-based charity projects.
Released by De Villiers Cycling Events, on behalf of the Bestmed Tshwane Classic, in association with Office National and Jacaranda FM.
Media Enquiries: devillierscycling@mweb.co.za or phone: 0832697659
