07 January 2022
Prosperity Sikhosana
Meli Ndlovu, a Zimbabwean cyclist based in South Africa who made airwaves by cycling from Johannesburg to Bulawayo has earned himself a meeting with His Worship the Mayor of Bulawayo Solomon Mguni.
Ndlovu is part of Cycling Teamville and Tembisa Cycling Club where he coaches children to cycle.
Having cycled all the way from South Africa to Zimbabwe, Ndlovu has earned himself some fame.
In the meeting, Ndlovu narrated that his journey was a Covid-19 campaign.
“During holidays like now, everyone wishes to visit their family and friends which is very dangerous as Covid-19 still exists.
He felt cycling is better than travelling by bus or flights as it is less congested.
However, his journey was not all that rosy.
Mmeli Ndlovu said he cycled from Midrand, passing through Centurion at around half past three in the morning on the 18th of November 2021.
“It was a difficult journey because it was raining and windy. I also came across some dangerous animals.”
Ndlovu says he came across a huge snake at a yellow line on the road but the light on his bicycle helped him to take note of it. He says the light can show objects from as far as 100 meters.
He “ignored” the snake but later met a dead one at Harmanskraal and took a picture of it and sent it to his team in South Africa which then encouraged him to go further as the snake type “symbolised luck”.
The cyclist also shared that he was taking pictures of artifacts on his way as proof that indeed he cycled to Zimbabwe.
He cycled the whole day of the 18th and rested at Musina the next day at around six in the morning to charge his phone.
His colleagues sent him 500 Rands and he bought minerals. He explained that a cyclist should not eat heavy food as the body will only be needing water.
In a nutshell, Ndlovu never ate anything during the long journey of about 1200km.
Upon his arrival at the border gate (did not specify whether Zimbabwean side or South African side) it seems he was given a torrid time.
“There were officials at the boarder gate, I don’t want to tarnish their image so I will not say much.”
At Beitbridge, he hit a pothole and burst his tyres as he gave way to a truck.
Ndlovu said he had to make several stops to mend tyre bursts.
He arrived in Gwanda with great difficulties as he had to change tyres every 5 kilometres and was feeling tired and experiencing cramps.
“I took slow-mag tablets and my colleagues spoke to the officials at Gwanda Hotel where I could rest. I went there, rested and woke up (on the 20th) at half past four in the morning.”
From Gwanda, he could feel his body fighting him to rest but he kept going.
“On the way, a woman screamed my name. I was surprised how she knew me. She asked to take a picture with me.”
He also met a courier driver (popularly known as oMalayitsha) who said he had seen Ndlovu on the way and was surprised he reached Zimbabwe on a bicycle.
Members of the public upon seeing his picture with Malayitsha claimed Ndlovu was given a lift by the driver.
He dismissed this claim as untrue.
“I arrived in Zimbabwe and was welcomed at Tower Block by the media.
“The aim was to have Zimbabwe praised,” said Ndlovu.
Mmeli Ndlovu expressed that he cannot go for two days without cycling as he would experience cramps.
Since his arrival, he has cycled to his rural home Kezi-Mapisa, Plumtree near the Botswana border and Shangani.
The Deputy Mayor Mlandu Ncube noted that there was no proper organisation for the meeting between Ndlovu and the Mayor by the department hence they currently do not have an award for him.
However, the deputy Mayor promised to do something.
His Worship Solomon Mguni said he hoped that cycling gets recognition more in Zimbabwe.