CYCLING ACADEMY
“ One moment I was in the program learning important values. Now I am leading my team in installing solar systems with those very same values I grew up learning at Kwano Cycling Academy. ”
Aries Analisa
Kwanokuthula
Creating lasting change and transforming lives.
In a world where education plays a pivotal role in shaping the future, The Buffalo Foundation is dedicated to helping Kwano Cycling Academy make a significant difference in the lives of its students. We are committed to creating lasting change and transforming lives.
Kwano Cycling Academy faces unique challenges in meeting the diverse needs of its students. The Buffalo Foundation works closely with its Academy to develop tailored solutions that address these challenges and create a positive impact.
We recognize the importance of nurturing the overall well-being of students. From promoting mental health awareness to fostering a safe and inclusive environment, we work together to ensure that students feel supported and empowered to thrive.
Kwano Cycling Academy was established in February 2014. The Buffalo Foundation has a long-standing relationship with the mountain bike academy that uses cycling as a catalyst to uplift and transform the lives of historically disadvantaged children and communities in Kwanokuthula Township, Plettenberg Bay, South Africa.
Kwano focuses on the coaching and nurturing of young cycling talent while maintaining strong connections to formal education and instilling lifelong values. The Buffalo Foundation has created a new website for their academy.
Kwano, like the other academies we support, faces an ongoing challenge. They face tough community environments such as drugs and gangs which results in children being faced with limited positive role models.
The academy's vision is to use cycling as a catalyst to uplift and academically transform historically disadvantaged youngsters and communities. To combine cycling and education but also to identify, educate, and coach young talent. From having one tutor with 30 children in 2018 kwano Cycling Academy has now developed and grown to 4 teachers and 100 + children over the past 4 years. The Academy also recorded a 100% matric pass rate which is a step in the right direction.
The Buffalo Foundation has been supporting Kwano Cycling Academy for the past 8 years. We try to relieve the effects of poverty for disadvantaged young people living in the Kwanokuthula Township through activities that they would otherwise not be able to afford. This is one of the driving forces behind The Buffalo Foundation’s ‘SEE The Future’ program; giving sporting opportunities to disadvantaged young people across South Africa, in the UK, and around the world.
One of Kwano’s major achievements amongst others was young Masixole who graduated through the Kwano program both on and off the bike. Masixole went on to study sports fitness and successfully graduated from ETA College. He also competed in the world’s biggest mountain bike race, The Absa Cape Epic where he secured second place overall in the Exxaro category.