A bicycle donation programme is strengthening community safety in Pretoria East, with Qhubeka supplying 79 bicycles to security initiatives in Brooklyn and Hatfield.

The organisation, which has been working to improve lives through bicycle access since 2005, said its work focuses on using bicycles to address practical challenges, including community safety and access to education.

Qhubeka founder and CEO Anthony Fitzhenry said the organisation was established with the belief that bicycles could create meaningful opportunities.

In Brooklyn, Qhubeka has provided 12 bicycles to support six community patrollers since July 1, 2023. The bicycles form part of a programme that includes bicycle provision, shift-change management, servicing and spare parts.

According to Fitzhenry, the bicycles have travelled more than 95 000km over 1 223 days, without a critical mechanical failure.

The patrollers work 12-hour shifts, using the bicycles to move through the neighbourhood and maintain a visible presence.

“These patrols have provided a consistent and visible presence on the ground, contributing to community vigilance and the management of crime in the area,” Fitzhenry said.

He said bicycle patrols offered practical advantages because patrollers could move through streets, pedestrian areas and spaces that were less accessible to motor vehicles.

Hatfield initiative adds 67 bicycles

In Hatfield, Qhubeka has donated 67 bicycles to the Hatfield City Improvement District since 2024. The bicycles are used for patrols around the University of Pretoria, student residences, accommodation facilities and public spaces.

The organisation continues to provide mechanical servicing and spare parts to support the bicycles and keep them in use.

Together, the Brooklyn and Hatfield initiatives account for 79 bicycles supporting community safety in Pretoria East.

Fitzhenry said the organisation’s approach wasn’t limited to donating bicycles; it also involved ensuring they remained useful over time.

“The value of a bicycle does not end when it is handed over. Its real value is measured in the journeys it enables, the opportunities it creates and the years of reliable service it provides,” he said.

Scholar mobility drives school attendance

Beyond community safety, Qhubeka also works to improve access to education through its Scholar Mobility programme. The initiative provides purpose-built bicycles to secondary school learners, particularly those in rural communities who face long journeys to school.

In October, the programme reached Mameriri Secondary School in Limpopo’s Greater Letaba Municipality, where 266 Grade 11 learners received bicycles.

The organisation said the programme aims to help learners arrive at school more consistently and on time, supporting their progress through the grades and towards completing Grade 12.

Its partnership with Absa has funded 7 662 bicycles since 2019, including 885 bicycles distributed during 2026.

Looking ahead to 2027, Qhubeka plans to expand its Scholar Mobility programme in rural secondary school communities while continuing its existing community safety initiatives in Brooklyn and Hatfield.

Fitzhenry said the organisation’s work was guided by a practical approach to identifying challenges and measuring the impact of its interventions.

“Identify a genuine problem. Find a practical solution. Commit to it for the long term. Measure the results,” he said.

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