A remarkable chapter in South African sporting history is being written in Oudtshoorn. For the first time ever, blind and visually impaired cyclists are competing in an official national cycling championship – the SA Youth Cycling National Championships, held from 7 to 9 October 2025.
This groundbreaking event is not only a triumph for sport but also a powerful symbol of dignity, inclusion, and hope. It redefines what it means to be a champion – not simply one who wins medals, but one who pushes beyond limits and inspires others to do the same.
A Dream That Sparked a Movement
The inspiration for this historic participation can be traced back to Sebastian Bekker, a 13-year-old who in 2023 founded Ride de Friends, a cycling club for children with visual impairments. Using tandem bicycles, with a sighted pilot in front and the visually impaired rider pedaling behind, Sebastian created an opportunity that once seemed impossible.
What began as a small act of kindness quickly grew into a powerful movement of inclusion, courage, and friendship. Ride de Friends became a place where children could experience trust, teamwork, and independence, proving that disability does not define ability.
Corné Bence: Turning a Vision Into Reality
Sebastian’s initiative inspired Corné Bence, president of Eden Cycling and chairperson of the Western Cape Cycling Association. Recognizing the potential, Bence took this spark and gave it wings. With the support of Johan Bekker, Para Cycling representative at the Western Cape association, he fought to ensure that visually impaired cyclists – some as young as nine years old – could compete at the highest youth level.
Through his leadership, Bence has opened doors for young South Africans with visual impairments to dream even bigger. International participation, once unimaginable, is now becoming a genuine possibility.
Champions Beyond Medals
Executive Mayor of Greater Oudtshoorn, Councillor Johan Allers, praised Corné Bence for his extraordinary leadership and humanity.
“This is far more than a sporting event – it is a celebration of humanity. Corné Bence has not only helped a sporting dream come true; he has opened doors for an entire generation of young people to believe they can, regardless of any limitation. Oudtshoorn is proud to be the home of this historic moment, where the spirit of courage and inclusion ride hand in hand with hope and perseverance.
The Ride de Friends team and all blind cyclists, together with Eden Cycling and the Greater Oudtshoorn Municipality, have shown that true champions are not only measured by medals, but by the courage to live their dreams and to shift boundaries.”
The Spirit of Champions
This week in Oudtshoorn, history is being made. But more importantly, hearts are being moved. The story of Ride de Friends and the visually impaired cyclists reminds us that champions are those who rise above challenges, who inspire unity, and who turn dreams into reality.
The Greater Oudtshoorn Municipality stands proud to host this moment in history – a moment that will echo far beyond the finish line, proving that we are greater than our limitations, and that true champions ride with courage, hope, and friendship.
