Three young men from Burgersfort in Limpopo arrived in the Mother City yesterday, after completing an epic 1700km cycle from their home town over the past two weeks.
Maxwell Ndou, Karabo Mokoo and Gauta Mahlakoane – collectively known as the Gauta BMX Team – caught the attention of the masses on TikTok as they embarked on this incredible journey a few weeks ago, and their story quickly spread to mass media outlets, drawing support from sponsors and donors nationwide.
What makes their achievement all the more amazing is that they completed the rise on ordinary BMX bycicles – not exactly the type of bicycle you choose for a cross country challenge.
The journey was arduous, as the young men almost gave up once they had reached Bloemfontein. But the overwhelming support from South Africans helped them to keep moving!
For most of their journey, the cyclists slept at police stations or petrol stops for safety.
The trio’s aim was to raise money for their community to establish a cycling club and, in the process, steer young men away from drugs and gangsterism by promoting cycling as a powerful, positive alternative.
They finally arrived at their destination yesterday afternoon and were warmly received by representatives of the Limpopo government, alongside City of Cape Town Geordin Hill-Lewis and some representatives from the Western Cape Government.
Welcome to Cape Town, Gauta, Maxwell and Karabo!! You made it!!
These 3 guys have cycled from Limpopo to Cape Town. 14 days on the road, over 1700km!
They’ve raised money for their community to establish a cycling club to introduce more young people to the joys of cycling… pic.twitter.com/en71nhrGMr
— Geordin Hill-Lewis (@geordinhl) April 14, 2025
From Limpopo
Cape Town!
We had a lekker warm gatsby ready for our boys!
#GautaBMX have made our nation proud
pic.twitter.com/oObeKX0BQD
— Geordin Hill-Lewis (@geordinhl) April 14, 2025
President Cyril Ramaphosa has also congratulated the young men.
“Your ambition to succeed against all odds has captivated the nation and this feat of human endurance has awoken the possibilities of what one will achieve when setting their sights to greatness. As a peloton you triumphed over adversity and the journey from Burgersfort to Cape Town fueled our Ubuntu human connection that defines South Africa. In the spirit of solidarity, the people of South Africa not only cheered the team on when pacing past their communities, they also responded to your needs by raising awareness about BMX Gauta Team club and your advocacy for young people to stay off alcohol, drugs and gangsterism.
South Africa admires and values the youthful exuberant, self-starting initiative you espoused that has inspired this and many generations to come.”
Incredible to think that what started as a conversation between friends became a reality. They have certainly inspired the nation and the youth to believe that anything is possible!
