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Tadious Manyepo 

NEDBANK have committed US$15 000 towards the hosting of this year’s edition of the Tour de Great Dyke.

The premium three-day annual cycling event, which is organised by YAFM in partnership with several mining companies, will start on October 27.

Over 100 professional and amateur cyclists have since registered for the gruelling race which will cover over 300km beginning at the Zimplats Complex in Selous and ending at the Wedza Complex in Zvishavane.

And Nedbank, who are no strangers to sports sponsorship in this country, having already invested substantial amounts in rugby, have decided to come on board in an event whose huge chunk of the proceeds will go to charity.

Speaking on the sidelines of the partnership announcement with YAFM as well as the official launch of this year’s event in Harare on Tuesday night, Nedbank executive head sales and business origination, Herry Heresy, said his entity is committed to uplifting sport in this country through synergies.

“The main reason we have decided to sponsor this initiative is out of our desire to promote health and awareness of our communities. This is not the only sporting initiative that we are embarking on as Nedbank as you might be already aware of our role in terms of rugby sponsorship,” he said.

“We are basically giving back to the community which also invests so much in our business. So this is our reciprocal role to say, look you are amazing and we are thanking you.

“We would like to propagate this sport for the communities, understand the mechanics and the like.

“For this year, we have decided to part with US$15 000 and depending on several factors, we will see how it goes next year. Our intention is to perpetuate this gesture.”

Mines and Mining Development Deputy Minister Polite Kambamura, who was the guest of honour, hailed the initiative and urged the participants to intensify their preparations now.

“This is a good gesture by Nedbank. It really shows that this race is getting more and more support since its launch in 2016,” he said.

“We are expecting to see more cyclists participating in this event. Sport promotes health and we are glad to have such companies like Nedbank coming on board to support initiatives like this. I am excited to be launching this year’s event and I would like to encourage participants to come in their numbers as the event also promotes charity work.”

The 2022 edition of the event is now officially called the Nedbank Tour de Great Dyke organised by with YAFM and platinum mining companies Unki, Mimosa and Zimplats.

In a statement, YAFM said the event, which is running under the theme “Running for Sustainability”, is expected to produce fireworks.

“The event will kick off from the Zimplats Complex in Selous on Thursday the 27 October 2022. The event will be held over three days and will see professional and amateur cyclists cover over three hundred kilometres that will take them through Chegutu, Kadoma, Kwekwe, Gweru, Shurugwi and Zvishavane.

“The cyclists, who are coming from all corners of the country, are expected to arrive in Harare on Wednesday the 26th of October 2022 ahead of the start on Thursday the 27th of October 2022.

“Part of the proceeds from the race will be used to support the charitable needs of the Gifted Children Foundation which assists underprivileged but talented students in the Great Dyke. To date the Foundation has supported over 100 learners at various levels from primary to tertiary education.

“Tour de Great Dyke was launched in 2016 to promote miner wellness, love for the environment and raise awareness of the investment opportunities in the Great Dyke geological complex which is home to the country’s major mining houses such as Mimosa, Unki , Zimplats, Zimasco, Afrochine and Great Dyke Investments.”

Mtokozisi Sibanda and Nkulumo Dube are the defending champions in the elite and Masters categories.