South African Farmers Save to Get Bikes and Gain Mobility

Posted: 02 Nov 2006

Related to: California Bike Project, Strengthening Bicycle and Rickshaw Industries, South Africa
Contributed by: Bradley Schroeder, ITDP

Workers in Calitzdorp, who once had no opportunity for advancement under apartheid, are discovering a newfound sense of self-worth and independence.

In partnership with the Great Western Cape Bicycle Ride, ITDP has developed a savings program that makes it possible for farm workers in South Africa to set aside a portion of their earnings towards the purchase of a new subsidized bicycle. In November, 310 farmers in the town of Calitzdorp who participated in the savings plan received California Bikes, helmets, and repair kits subsidizedby Axiz Ltd., an information technology company based in South Africa.

The Calitzdorp program is especially significant given that South Africa’s legacy of apartheid stranded many people, leaving them tied to the land they used to work with no opportunity for advancement. For the Calitzdorp farm workers, the California Bikes are the first items that they have purchased with their own savings, giving them a newfound sense of ownership, self-worth and independence.

“It makes me feel good about myself and I take good care of [the bike],” said one of the participants. “I get to work on time, and I can even sleep a bit later,” said another.

Since the Calitzdorp event in November, hundreds of additional requests for bicycles have been received from other farm workers who have taken note of the improved access to markets, healthcare and education that the bicycles provide. The savings program used in Calitzdorp will be applied to distribute more bikes in other towns in South Africa this year.

Watch a short video clip of the Calitzdorp project below: