Riding in Pink to Raise Cancer Awareness

Nompumelelo Wana is a cyclist and cancer activist who is passionate about making a real difference to her community by showing sincere support.

Wana first got onto a bicycle on World Cancer Day in 2016, as part of a creative assignment, where a group of students did a ride around campus to raise awareness.

This saw the launch of the  Ride in Pink Organisation, an NPO aimed at raising cancer awareness through cycling initiatives, and supporting victims through counselling, fund raising and other activities.

“The NPO has conducted several ride campaigns towards cancer awareness since its existence and continues to work towards making a difference through teaching people about cancer and stressing the importance of check-ups for early detection and necessary steps towards the seeking of medical attention, treatment processes, healing and recovery physically and mentally.

“The NPO also raises funds to financially assist victims who cannot afford treatment or logistics relating to the process of treatment and healing,” Wana says.

She is hoping this twin focus will better equip communities deal with the impact of cancer while encouraging the youth to take up cycling and be empowered through the sport.

Wana reflects on the moment she decided to help children learn to cycle.

“When I woke up and Mmabatho was burnt to ashes. It was the year of Fees Must Fall and I didn’t want to participate there. I decided to teach kids how to ride a bicycle.” – Nompumelelo Wana, founder of NPO Ride in Pink Organisation, an NPO

Wana is advocating for better support at all levels to make cycling more accessible to all communities around South Africa.

So, what is her dream for cycling?

“Cycling is our Heritage. I want to see it grow rapidly at the level of young /youth where they can find more innovative ways to empower themselves. 

“To have more blacks participating in international and local competition.”

Wana believes when it comes to raising the profile of women’s sport overall, it also comes down to awareness: “We need to make research about women in sport and reach out to them and share their stories to empower other women to be active, healthy and encourage them to have hobbies or extra mural activities and share these with their friends, families and communities.”

Want to learn to cycle and at the same time contribute to raising cancer awareness? Book a lesson and learn to cycle for R50 (two hours). Contact Wana via WhatsApp on 0792255533.

Photo 1 Caption: Nompumelelo Wana is a cyclist and cancer activist, and she is the founder of an NPO called the Ride in Pink Organisation, aimed at raising cancer awareness through cycling initiatives, and supporting victims through counselling, fund raising and other activities. Photo: Supplied