By Sonica Naudé-Steyn

The Salaam Foundation and Salaamedia’s ‘Riding for SA Education’ team arrived in Kokstad on Sunday afternoon as part of their 3000km awareness campaign.
The ride, which is aimed at raising funds and awareness around the needs of basic education in South Africa particularly in needy and underdeveloped rural areas, started at the Musina border on 7 February and is expected to conclude in March when the team reaches Cape Town.
The main cyclist of the campaign is Salaam Foundation director, Azhar Vadi who was joined by his fellow director, Zaheer Pahad from the start point to Johannesburg. Vadi is expected to complete the entire journey with riders welcome to join him along the way.
The Riding for SA Education team have also stopped at rural schools along the way, identifying problem areas and basic needs and addressing the learners regarding the implementation of education development projects.
“Education is a universal concern and we as South African need to band together to improve education in our country. This is what this campaign is all about. We aim to touch lives, to share with our fellow countrymen. We cannot solve all the problems but we can come together to show the spirit of country,” explained Vadi.
Vadi says that the campaign has been challenging and hard on his body but that he is very happy doing the cycle: “Despite cycling in wet weather, getting the flu and having a sore body every day, I would not want to be anywhere else. I cycle between 50 and 100 kilometers a day but the warm welcome and appreciation my team and I have received in the rural areas and small towns has been wonderful.”
Vadi says that the journey has also taught him many lessons and challenged his discipline in terms of meeting his deadline every single day. The team will be travelling to East London by vehicle due to security concerns before continuing on their journey to Cape Point.
“We welcome others who would like to ride along with us for any distance. We also call on other community organisations and NGO's to come on board. Potential sponsors and donors can contact us on info@salaamedia.com,” concluded Vadi. People who wish to forward details of schools who could potentially be assisted can also send an email to the above address. To follow the campaign visit the social media feeds on Twitter and Instagram @salaamedia and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/salaamedia.

1. Riding for SA Education cyclists, Azhar Vadi arriving in Kokstad on Sunday.