TANA MALINGA
As the iconic Absa Cape Epic celebrates its 20th anniversary, the milestone reflects far more than sporting excellence. It highlights the enduring value of strategic corporate partnerships and the powerful role major sporting events can play in driving economic growth and social development in South Africa.
Since its inception, the globally renowned eight-day mountain bike race has become one of the most significant sporting events on the African calendar. Over the past two decades, the event has injected close to R11 billion into the economy of the Western Cape, strengthening tourism, supporting local enterprises and creating employment opportunities as riders, support teams and spectators travel from across the globe to take part.
To mark the occasion, title sponsor Absa Group has partnered with the David Tlale Academy through its Training, Skills and Entrepreneurship Development Programme. The initiative invited emerging fashion students to design a commemorative backpack that will be awarded to thousands of riders as they cross the finish line during the race’s grand finale.
Young designers Lindiwe Rorwana and Thato Bookhelane emerged as the winners of the design challenge, earning recognition for their creativity and innovation. Each will receive R10,000 in prize money, celebrating their contribution to the special anniversary edition.
The collaboration forms part of a broader empowerment programme that aims to equip 100 unemployed young South Africans with technical, design and entrepreneurial skills within the fashion, clothing and textile industries. By strengthening local manufacturing and nurturing youth-led enterprises, the initiative seeks to revitalise South Africa’s creative economy.
According to Sydney Nhlanhla Mbhele, Group Chief Marketing and Corporate Affairs Officer at Absa, the 20-year milestone underscores the power of purpose-driven partnerships.
“Sustaining a partnership for two decades requires more than brand visibility. It is built on shared values, mutual trust and a clear commitment to meaningful impact,” Mbhele said.
In celebration of the anniversary, Absa has also launched a fundraising initiative in support of the non-profit organisation Qhubeka, which provides bicycles to communities lacking access to reliable transport.
During the Prologue and Grand Finale race villages, participants will have the opportunity to challenge world-class mountain biking champions Nino Schurter and Annika Langvad by attempting to match their Functional Threshold Power on a stationary Qhubeka bicycle for 20 seconds. Each successful attempt will result in a Qhubeka bicycle being donated to communities in need, while participants will also receive two months of free bike finance through a personal loan.
As the 2026 edition unfolds from 15 to 22 March, the Absa Cape Epic continues to demonstrate how sport, business and community partnerships can drive economic impact, unlock opportunity and inspire a more inclusive future for South Africa’s sporting landscape.
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