If you are looking for an immersive and truly authentic South African experience, then the AWOL township cycle tour through Masiphemele is what you’ve been searching for.

I had the opportunity to join the cycle tour on a prominently South African day, 24 September, being Heritage Day. A day where the diversity of the numerous cultures of the South African people are celebrated and we honour our rainbow nation in all its glory.

Our guide for the afternoon was a charming chap named Lutho, and a local of Masi himself. Lutho has a beautiful story and history with AWOL tours, which you can read about here.

 

Within the first few hundred metres of departure, you pedal through the informal curtain of this sprawling urban settlement right into the daily life of the tens of thousands of residents that call Masi home. Instantly, the sights, sounds and smells are vibrant and numerous, and you get to see firsthand what life is like within the township. Local children begin running alongside your bike, smiling widely and greeting loudly, either with a hello or a local ‘Mholweni’.

As you weave in and out of the formalized and informalized side of the township, Lutho provides you with an unfiltered insiders perspective, highlighting both the difficulties and opportunities facing the community.

Masi Cultural Tour

Throughout the whole tour, there is a continuous flow and hum of people. Businesses line the streets and there are many women cooking meat in braai drums on the streetside as the smell of firewood fills the air. There are local delicacies being cooked up for the afternoon’s festivities, such as chicken feet, freshly plucked and boiled chickens, and the occasional goat head.

Whilst you might have some hesitancy at going to view how the people within the township live, I can assure you that you are embraced with open and welcoming arms. There is unity in the diversity of this township, which you quickly learn as you interact with the locals and learn about its history.

By partaking in this tour, not only are you creating lasting memories, but you are also supporting responsible tourism. There are many benefits for the community itself as a portion of all proceeds go to the betterment of the community. You also have many opportunities to support local business and trade by purchasing beautifully and locally produced crafts.

Usually, a traditional African lunch is on the cards at a local restaurant or with a local entrepreneur who hosts you in her own home. However, on this occasion, and given the relevancy of the day, we were treated to a braai at the Masiphumelele Creative Hub, a community centre of sorts, where locals can volunteer in the vegetable gardens and partake in other creative outlets. They too, have a remarkable story and an initiative worth supporting, which you can read more about here.

The cycle itself is slow paced, providing you time to fully absorb your surrounding environment whilst also making it suitable for all skill and fitness levels.

If you wish to pedal through the streets of Masiphumelele and add this incredible experience into the pages of your memory book,  follow this link to find out more or make your booking here