A group of cyclists, led by a Stellenbosch University (SU) lecturer, raised R90 000 during a recent cycling event aimed at assisting students in need of financial support.
This is according to Dr Marietjie Lutz, founder of Wheels of Opportunity (WOOP) and chemistry lecturer at SU.
While the aim was to raise R100 000, Lutz said that it was important for them not to limit themselves.
The funds are distributed to students who have varying financial struggles, but is not limited to filling specific financial gaps, said Lutz. The funds are administered through a designated WOOP financial management system at SU, she said.
Dr Marietjie Lutz standing in front of the Stellenbosch University (SU) Department of Chemistry, the final destination of the trip from George to Stellenbosch, after “doing more than 100 km a day, six days in a row”, said Lutz. PHOTO: Buhle Bam
Lutz cycled 600 km from George to Stellenbosch over a period of six days, with eight other cyclists, as opposed to the six cyclists who completed the 600 km trip last year.
“We started small last year and [stuck] to our family,” said Lutz.
The inclusion of more people was a richer experience for everyone involved, and also exposed the initiative to “a greater network in terms of funding possibilities”, said Lutz.
Lutz’ sons, Ben Lutz (21) and Jan Lutz (19), participated in the cycling event and attested to the richer experience of having more cyclists on the journey from George to Stellenbosch.
“It was a lot more fun, because you could share the same memories and stories with other people,” said Ben Lutz.
From 0 to 600 km
One of the new participants took on the full route this year, after she had sold her business and embarked on a sabbatical, according to Deziré Kriel, a WOOP participant who had only started cycling recently.
Deziré Kriel, one of the Wheels of Opportunity (WOOP) cycling trip participants. Kriel said that it was nice to be back at the finishing point of the trip. PHOTO: Buhle Bam
Kriel said that she was inspired to take on cycling as a hobby of her own by her late husband and her group of friends, which mainly consists of cyclists.
The 2025 WOOP trip is the furthest distance she had cycled to date, said Kriel.
The motivation to overcome challenges
A student in her first-year chemistry class in 2022, who inspired her to start the initiative, served as a reminder that she could push through difficult moments on the journey to Stellenbosch from George, said Lutz.
“At a certain stage, he slept outside on campus,” said Lutz. “He didn’t have food to eat. Regardless of that, he scored more than 75% for his first year of chemistry.”
This miniature version of Pokkel, the Stellenbosch University (SU) mascot, was attached to Dr Marietjie Lutz’ bicycle to serve as motivation when the journey became difficult. “I think about the student who is willing to put in everything just to graduate for a better future,” said Lutz. PHOTO: Buhle Bam