On Saturday, 13 September 2025, Matrix Fitness South Africa will host its inaugural Cycle for Change event at Workshop17, V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. This professionally produced spinathon encourages corporate teams, cycling fans, and changemakers to ride with purpose. The goal is to raise R1,2 million to be invested into two of South Africa’s cycling-focused NGOs. The funds will be used to upgrade existing infrastructure and install Matrix ICR50 Limited Edition bikes. Velokhaya Cycling Academy in Khayelitsha and Songezo Cycling Academy in Masiphumelele are the chosen partners.
“This isn’t just a spinathon. It’s a movement,” says Zeyd Sulaiman, Managing Director of Johnson Health Tech South Africa, the global fitness leader brand behind Matrix Fitness. “Johnson Health Tech has spent five decades building premium fitness infrastructure, and the Cycle for Change project is to make that infrastructure accessible to more people. Our chosen partners not only focus on producing great cycling athletes; they also run programmes to provide youth with the best possible ‘life infrastructure’.”
Sulaiman recalls a key moment during a popular stage race. “As I rode through an underserved community, I realised that the cheering crowds did not care that my bike cost more than most could imagine. The undeniable imbalance in our South African family struck me. That’s why we’ve built Cycle for Change – to turn that awareness into action.”
“As South Africa’s oldest and longest-running cycling academy, the Velokhaya Life Cycling Academy has truly lived up to its name,” says Sipho Mona, General Manager of Velokhaya. “We don’t see ourselves as only a cycling academy, we’re a movement rooted in purpose. Over the past two decades, we’ve supported more than 6,000 young people and produced alumni who’ve competed on cycling’s biggest stages including the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia and gone on to thrive in universities, careers, and communities.
“Anyone in this space will know this is about more than sport. We’re building futures: academically, athletically, and socially. This next phase is about growth and sustainability. With a beautiful spin space, upgraded equipment, and expanded support, we can reach more youth and deepen our impact. We’re proud to welcome Matrix Fitness as a partner in this journey, their investment helps us create lasting opportunities that change lives and enrich the community we serve.”
Songezo Cycling Academy in Masiphumulele, founded by professional cyclist Songezo Jim (who is a Velokhaya alumni), has grown from container beginnings to supporting 40 active riders with structured training, tutoring, and life skills. “Cycle for Change brings visibility and investment into spaces that are often overlooked,” says Jim. “Cycling is not just about becoming an elite athlete, it’s also about discipline, structure, and a sense of community. This type of investment can be a game-changer for youth – giving them access to more than just equipment, and in a place where it’s most needed – near their homes.”
Joining the ride are event MCs Liezel van der Westhuizen and Nicholas Dlamini, whose journey from Capricorn to the Tour de France is a well-loved South African story. Dlamini, who was also a Velokhaya student, says, “My story proves what cycling can do. I’ve lived it. Now I want to see more youth empowered the same way.”
Participants can choose:
AM Session – Registration: 08:00 | Spinathon: 09:00–12:30
PM Session – Registration: 13:00 | Spinathon: 14:00–17:30
Each team may include up to 10 riders, all over the age of 18 and they can expect:
- – Spin sessions with top Cape Town instructors.
- – Rider hampers, branded zones, and live DJ sets.
- – Purpose-driven energy and MC shoutouts throughout the day.
Each Corporate Team Package, priced at R30,000, covers entry for 10 riders and funds the donation of a Matrix ICR50 Limited Edition bike to one of the academies. NGO Sponsorship Packages allow donors to fund a full team of youth riders from either of the Academies.
“Every team and every pedal stroke power long-term change,” says Sulaiman. “Cycle for Change is the beginning of a longer-term relationship with both Academies.’
To register or sponsor a team: visit Cycle for Change on Howler
