Betway Cares Foundation Rolls Out Cycling and Community Projects Across South Africa

Cycling for Change

When you think of community aid, a bike might not be the first thing that comes to mind. Yet the Betway Cares Foundation has turned that notion on its head, using cycling as a springboard for broader upliftment in South Africa’s most underserved areas. The partnership with Khaltsa Cycles in Khayelitsha reshapes how a simple two‑wheel vehicle can address several needs at once—creating jobs, encouraging healthy lifestyles and providing affordable transport for residents who previously walked miles to reach schools or clinics.

The initiative isn’t just about handing out bicycles. It includes training workshops where local youth learn maintenance skills, safety protocols and small‑business basics. Those who master the craft can start micro‑repair shops, generating income while keeping the community’s wheels turning. The ripple effect is clear: more reliable transport leads to better school attendance, higher job‑search success and reduced traffic congestion in crowded townships.

Beyond the Bike: A Multi‑Sector Push

While the cycling programme grabs headlines, the Foundation’s portfolio stretches far beyond metal frames. Its water infrastructure projects alone have transformed daily life for thousands. In Matshemhlophe village (KwaZulu‑Natal) and Clara Bagdadi (Mpumalanga), three new borehole systems now deliver safe drinking water to over 8,000 people, eradicating the need for long, arduous trips to distant wells.

Education and the arts also sit at the heart of the Foundation’s strategy. A generous donation to the Mitchell’s Plain Music Academy equips aspiring musicians with instruments, rehearsal space and professional guidance. Parallel to this, the Voices for Her mentorship programme targets female vocalists aged 20‑35 from disadvantaged backgrounds, pairing them with seasoned industry mentors and offering performance platforms that were previously out of reach.

Sports development receives equal emphasis. The three‑year Betway Next Phase partnership with SA Rugby aims to close the gender gap in women’s rugby. Led by SA Rugby’s inaugural High‑Performance Manager for women’s rugby, Lynne Cantwell, the programme rolls out coaching clinics, talent identification camps and leadership training across the country. Meanwhile, the BetwayCares Skills Hub runs regular workshops covering sports medicine, cardiac‑arrest response and anti‑doping education, ensuring coaches in football leagues have the knowledge to keep athletes safe.

Women’s empowerment extends to learnership programmes that focus on young women in traditionally male‑dominated trades. Participants receive hands‑on training, mentorship and a clear pathway to employment, tackling both unemployment and gender inequality in one go.

Infrastructure revitalisation isn’t limited to water. The Foundation helped breathe new life into a community car‑wash in Meadowlands, Soweto, turning it into a training ground for entrepreneurial skills and a modest source of income for local families.

• Clean‑water projects serving 8,000+ residents in KwaZulu‑Natal and Mpumalanga
• Vehicle donation to Ntsika Ye Sizwesethu NGO in Alexandra Township
• Music academy support in Mitchell’s Plain
• Voices for Her mentorship for female musicians
• Betway Next Phase women’s rugby development with SA Rugby
• Coaching workshops via BetwayCares Skills Hub
• Learnerships for young women in trades

All of these initiatives operate under the oversight of Raging River Trading (Pty) Ltd, the entity behind Betway South Africa, and are licensed by the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board. This regulatory framework ensures that every project meets stringent standards of accountability, transparency and impact measurement.

What ties the diverse programmes together is a clear philosophy: lasting change comes from addressing multiple layers of need at once. By intertwining sports, arts, infrastructure and skill‑building, the Betway Cares Foundation creates ecosystems where communities can thrive long after the initial investment fades.