A fleet of 11 LDV vehicles supported the recent  Nelson Mandela Legacy Ride4Hope, a 570km cycling journey from Mozambique through KwaZulu-Natal in support of educational development.

“Having been involved with the Nelson Mandela Legacy Ride4Hope for many years, this is a cause that has always been close to my heart,” says Gerhard Moolman, CEO of LDV South Africa, an avid cyclist who also took part this year. He joined over 140 fellow riders and experiencing first-hand the communities and educational projects at the heart of Ride4Hope.

Ride4Hope is a South African non-profit organisation, established in 2018, which focuses on creating positive social impact through cycling. Mandated by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Ride4Hope uses cycling as a platform to raise funds and create lasting community impact. 

The Legacy Ride4Hope Tour is a multi-day cycling journey along a symbolic route linked to Nelson Mandela’s legacy, while raising funds for the #Classrooms4Hope initiative and other community projects.

Now in its ninth edition, the annual cycling initiative brings together cyclists, corporate partners and communities to raise awareness and support for education, youth development and under-resourced schools.

This year's event marked an important milestone as the first cross-border edition of the tour. Beginning in Bela Vista, Mozambique, on 3 September, the cyclists travelled 165km to Sodwana Bay in KwaZulu-Natal, followed by a 95km stretch to Hluhluwe on day two. The third stage covered 145km from Empangeni to Ballito, before the final 165km ride from Ballito to Howick on 6 September.

The tour ended at the historic Nelson Mandela Capture Site in Howick, where cyclists, dignitaries, sponsors and stakeholders gathered to celebrate the end of another successful Legacy Ride4Hope.

In addition to the physical challenge, the Nelson Mandela Legacy Ride4Hope aims to create lasting opportunities for young South Africans through improved access to education and learning facilities.

In Mozambique, a school with over 1 400 learners benefited from an extensive renovation project, transforming facilities that had previously been in a severely deteriorated condition.

Next, Amangwe High School in Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal, received three newly built, fully furnished classrooms, supporting a school community of approximately 1 200 learners.

The initiative also included the Mandela Day handover of three fully furnished classrooms and a science laboratory at Giyani Primary School in Soweto on 18 July 2026. The facilities were officially unveiled in the presence of Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube, representatives of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, project partners, cyclists and community members.

A further ICT laboratory project in Gauteng was identified as part of the 2026 legacy programme.

Together, the four educational projects identified in the 2026 programme are associated with school communities serving approximately 4 500 learners, highlighting the potential long-term impact of the initiative.

“Being part of this year’s ride, and seeing first hand the difference this support make to learners and their communities, has made this partnership even more meaningful,” says Moolman.

LDV is a brand with a rich heritage dating back to 1896 in the United Kingdom. Today, it forms part of the global automotive group SAIC Motor, headquartered in China. The brand launched locally in 2024 and has since expanded its range of utility, commercial and SUV models, supported by a steadily growing dealership network.

This year, LDV South Africa provided 11 LDV vehicles to support the event, ensuring that cyclists, organisers and support teams had the mobility and logistical assistance needed throughout the journey.

These included the Terron 9, T60 Max Luxe, T60 Max Pro, D90 and Deliver 9 Ambulance.

Six vehicles were dedicated to rider support, three to event management and logistics, one to motorcycle support and another to emergency medical services.

The vehicles also played an important role in the preparation and planning of the event, assisting with route scouting and mapping, stakeholder meetings and other organisational activities in the months leading up to the tour.

Travelling across a demanding, long-distance route that crossed an international border and passed through various parts of KwaZulu-Natal, the LDV fleet provided practical support to help keep the event running smoothly.

“For LDV South Africa, supporting the initiative goes beyond providing vehicles. It is an opportunity to contribute practical resources, expertise and mobility to a cause that aims to improve educational opportunities and make a tangible difference in people's lives,” Moolman says. “Supporting Ride4Hope is a partnership we look forward to continuing for many years to come”.

With LDV's partnership with Ride4Hope continuing until May 2027, the company looks forward to building on its involvement and supporting future initiatives aimed at creating positive change.

For more information, please go to www.legacyride4hope.com and www.ldvsouthafrica.co.za.