More trees = more bikes

A new type of entrepreneur is making waves in Richard's Bay. Called "tree-preneurs", children in the communities in Esikhawini and Dube are planting trees - in return for bicycles. With the backing of Wildlands Conservation Trust (WCT) and Qhubeka, this "Trees for Bikes" project is changing the way communities commute and care for the environment.

"Qhubeka" is a Zulu word meaning "to move forward". This non-profit organisation was started in 2005 by leading infrastructure distributor, Axiz, to enable development in SA and assist communities to "move forward" in a sustained way. Most of the organisation's projects involve the distribution of terrain-appropriate bicycles to various SED projects around the country, with over 3 000 bicycles being delivered to date. It's thus all about changing lives - one bicycle at a time.

Qhubeka's involvement with Trees for Bikes has helped generate an overwhelming response to the project in Richard's Bay. Supported by both Richard's Bay Coal Terminal and BHP Billiton, high school pupils between the ages of 13 and 18 have grown over 100 indigenous trees. In line with Qhubeka's philosophy of "hand ups" as opposed to "hand outs", these 800 children have thus "earned" their bicycles - contributing R250 towards the total cost thereof. Beyond enabling these pupils to get to school everyday, the project has also given them a real appreciation of the need to conserve the environment.

Bheki Sibeko, director: Qhubeka, explains that the Trees for Life project is a particularly significant milestone for Qhubeka. "We will be collaborating with ProBike (assemblers of Raleigh bikes in SA) who have set up a bicycle assembly plant in Port Elizabeth. All 800 bicycles are being assembled there. In this way, the project will assist the company in creating sustainable jobs in this area. This is the first time that our bikes will be assembled in SA. Previously they were assembled in China. We're thus extending this project's reach well beyond merely supplying bicycles to Richard's Bay."

Peter Miller, founder and chairman: ProBike, says that the Trees for Bikes programme is the perfect example of how thinking "out of the box" can touch the lives of communities other than the direct recipients. "A project of this nature enables a company like ours to build our capacity. In this way, we're able to employ more people - something that's critically needed in Port Elizabeth."

Sibeko adds that the bicycles to be assembled by ProBike are very special in themselves. "These terrain specific bicycles are the real-life result of an incredible amount of research into bicycle design. The previous version, as used in our other Qhubeka projects, has been slightly modified. These new bikes will feature the latest specifications. As such, they are the bicycles we are going to be using going forward." This innovative design will also be used by the Department of Transport for its R1 million Shova Kalula project.

The Richard's Bay Trees for Bikes project has thus evolved into something far greater than the mere exchange of bicycles for trees. By looking at the project from unique angles, Qhubeka and WCT have managed to create a means of touching and improving lives from the start of the project to the ultimate handover of the bikes. In this way, the project will not only create jobs, help children get to school safely and conserve the environment, but also serve as a source of inspiration for everyone else committed to making a difference in SA.