Day 1
First day in the field with our partners at BEN SA. We met the team at their HQ in Marina da Gama, exchanged small gifts, and were warmly welcomed with local treats including koeksisters and milk tart. We toured the offices, workshop, and storage, and discussed our shared work supporting community mobility through bikes.
In the afternoon, Tim, Director of BEN, took us to meet Meshack in Westlake. An inspiring entrepreneur who has grown his bike business from a handful of bikes (first supplied by BEN in 2002) into a thriving community hub. He now teaches young people to ride and has plans to build a safe cycling park for children aged 2–5 using balance bikes. His vision is huge, but practical and deeply community-led.
We finished the day with a traditional Braai at our host’s home — a brilliant introduction to local hospitality.
Day 2
A full “on the road” day visiting five community bike enterprises across Cape Town.
We met James in Ocean View, who repairs and resells bikes while running youth rides and a women’s cycling group, some of whom now take part in the Cape Town Cycle Tour.
In Masiphumelele, Morgan runs a container workshop supplying bikes locally and across southern Africa, turning over around one bike a week with strong entrepreneurial drive.
In Mitchell’s Plain, “Mr Bean” focuses on high-volume sales and community engagement, including women’s fitness classes who welcomed us with song and dance.
In Khayelitsha, Juma has grown from a small container workshop into a two-site business, adding bike hire and a coffee shop with big expansion plans. We cycled between his sites through the township — a real highlight.
We ended in Langa at the Bicycle Hub, led by 23-year-old Mzi, supporting school outreach and community rides.
150km travelled, many stories heard, and plenty of inspiration gathered.
Day 3
Training day at BEN HQ led by Chris, working with BEC owners including Mr Bean, Morgan, Jason, Fago and Trevor. He covered key maintenance skills including brakes, suspension, and bottom brackets. Lots of questions, strong engagement, and plenty of hands-on learning.
We were joined at lunch by Louis Da Waal, BEN’s founder, for a traditional Braai (and a power cut that timed itself perfectly). Conversations flowed over boerewors and local beer.
The afternoon continued with training and finished with a visit to a local night ride event at the Waterfront — a great end to a packed day.
Day 4
Final day of training focused on more advanced systems including hubs, headsets, tubeless tyres, gears, and drivetrain compatibility. A full two-day skills package delivered, and the BEC owners left confident and motivated.
Meanwhile, back in the office, Charlotte supported admin, emails, and customs paperwork for the next container heading to BEN.
We wrapped up with pizza, final discussions about future plans, and goodbyes before heading to the airport after an unforgettable week of partnership, learning, and connection.
