In October 2018, Inyatsi Swazi Frontier mountain bike stage race and a team consisting of Malolotja Nature Reserve Rangers and community members worked tirelessly in soaring temperatures to repair the community swing bridge which connects the Luhumaneni community on both sides of the Komati River along its race route.
The condition of this swing bridge had deteriorated substantially. The community had tried to repair it by replacing rotten and missing poles with crooked branches from indigenous trees but many were ill-fitting and there were still large gaps making the bridge unsafe to cross. The bridge is vital for this community which lives astride the river and children use it to get to school each day.
Inyatsi Swazi Frontier sponsored the 120 treated poles and other building materials used to repair the bridge. Buy Cash Piggs Peak assisted with delivery of the materials to the remote and inaccessible location.
Our years of mountain biking in far-flung corners of the Kingdom have naturally created a romantic impression of these remote areas but it is important to remember that the very remoteness that is so appealing to us brings with it certain challenges for people living there.
We aim to make a positive impact on everyone and everything that we come into contact with during Swazi Frontier and all our preparation leading up to it. Hopefully, our small efforts will help to make a difference to the communities we encounter along the way.