28 Apr 2025

The 20th edition of the Jwaneng GM’s Annual Charity Cycle Challenge took place on Sunday, marking a significant milestone in the event’s history. 

Letlamoreng Ikaneng clinched first place in the elites category after a thrilling sprint finish, completing the 120km race in an impressive time of 3:11:02. He raced for Jwaneng Cycling C1, narrowly defeating NCC’s Karabo Makatile from Lesotho, who finished the same distance in the under-23 category with a time of 3:11:02 just milliseconds behind Ikaneng.

This charity event, sponsored by Jwaneng Mine, featured multiple race categories, including 30km, 60km, 90km, and 120km, enabling participants of all ages to join in and contribute to communal goodwill within the Jwaneng area and beyond. 

Held under the inspiring theme, “Pedal for Good,” the race welcomed a notable guest, Dithapelo Keorapetse, who is the Speaker of the National Assembly. In his keynote address, Keorapetse emphasised the event’s role as a testament to the commitment towards prosperity for all Batswana.

He highlighted the importance of community upliftment and the ongoing benefits that Jwaneng residents receive from the mine’s initiatives. Keorapetse also expressed his enthusiasm for Jwaneng’s recognition as a sporting hub, noting the variety of competitions hosted in the town over recent months, including netball, softball, football, motorsport, and now cycling.

He stated that nurturing local sporting talent could significantly contribute to diversifying the economy. Reinforcing this commitment, he assured the government’s support for partnerships with corporate entities such as Debswana, encouraging athletes to hone their skills and leverage their talents for the greater good. 

During the welcome address, Jwaneng Mine General Manager, Goitseone Gadifele acknowledged the challenges faced by the industry due to global economic conditions. However, he praised the resilience of the Jwaneng Cycling Club and its supporters in their dedication to aiding the less fortunate.

Gadifele reiterated Debswana’s commitment to fostering sports as a viable avenue for economic development in the Southern Region, emphasising the race’s growth over two decades, which has attracted more than 5,000 participants from diverse backgrounds. 

This year’s milestone event also featured participants from Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, and Lesotho. The total funds raised during this edition are yet to be finalised, with organisers promising to provide updates on how these funds will be allocated to add value to the community. ENDS