“The heart behind the event will always be for the school and the children and families being reached by the school,” said Stephan May, initiator of the Calling Cape Town challenge. Raising the standard of what can be achieved in 24 hours, these athletes aim to inspire learners from low-income brackets to believe in themselves and dream big, said Mpilo Ruka, Calling Academy Stellenbosch headboy of 2022. VIDEO: Jess Holing
Voluntary athletes from Stellenbosch and Cape Town recently participated in an extreme 24-hour triathlon as part of a fundraiser for low-income learners. This was according to Stephen May, the initiator of the challenge, Calling Cape Town.
Mpilo Ruka, one of the athletes who successfully completed the triathlon, was the headboy of Calling Academy last year. Ruka said he completed the challenge to inspire other learners at the school. “Whatever they come across in life, the bond they have with each will echo throughout eternity,” he said.
May started the annual Calling Cape Town Challenge last year, after being inspired by the non-profit organisation, Calling Education, which provides low-income learners with high quality education in Stellenbosch and Kroonstad.
“I was inspired by what they are doing at Calling Education, and the difference they’re making,” said May.
“When I was swimming… it was dark, you can’t see the ocean floor or anything around you. You just see one light and boats around you and other people’s arms,” said Mpilo Ruka, headboy of Calling Academy Stellenbosch in 2022, after completing the 7km swim ending at Big Bay beach. PHOTO: Jess Holing
The heart of Calling Cape Town
Calling Cape Town is organised to coincide with the Cape Town Cycle Tour (CTCT), and was thus held on 12 March this year. The challenge included the 109km CTCT, as well as a 7km ocean swim and a 45km run over Devils Peak, Table Mountain and Lion’s Head, explained May.
All funds from Calling Cape Town go towards Calling Education, said Werner Cloete, principal of the all-boys high school, Calling Academy. They are hoping to open more schools in the future, aimed at low-income learners, said Cloete.
“The idea is to establish it [Calling Cape Town] as an event that can create a substantial and sustainable yearly income for the school,” explained May.
“The heart behind the event will always be for the school and the children and families being reached by the school,” said May.
The athletes become ambassadors to raise funds for the school through their networks,” said Werner Cloete, principal of Calling Academy about the Calling Cape Town challenge. Anja Laubscher, Cornel Smuts and Jakobus Smit run towards Lion’s Head, the final leg of the challenge, after descending Table Mountain in the dark. PHOTO: Jess Holing
The challenge
The first finisher of this year’s Calling Cape Town challenge, Nardus Matthysen, completed the challenge in 17 hours and 40 minutes. Although the athletes do their own training in preparation for Calling Cape Town, Ruka explained that the athletes rely on each other to get through the challenge.
“When I started this, I thought it was a one man race, but on the swim, I had a big realisation how much we need each other,” said Ruka.
“People believe they can accomplish anything if [everyday] people like us can do it. No matter life’s challenges they might be facing, even if you’re boxed in the township. You’re more than that,” he said. Students from Calling Academy often come from difficult backgrounds, said Ruka, but he wanted to show them that anything is possible for them.
“At Calling, it’s different. They focus on who you are as a person and how they can help you to achieve your dreams,” said Ruka.
“My favourite part about the challenge is seeing people putting up their hand and saying, ‘What can I do?’,” said Cloete. He said that they would love to see more former learners and community members take part in this challenge in the future.
“The focus should always stay on the school and the impact we’re trying to make for the kids involved in the school,” said Stephan May, initiator of the Calling Cape Town extreme challenge. Pictured here is Christie Smit, the first female Calling Cape Town athlete to complete the challenge, as she stands on Lion’s Head. PHOTO: Jess Holing