MEET JOS

Meet Jos:
My name is Jos. I am an a 'cycle-olic' and this is my first confession… This affair started about 10 years ago. Did it happen when I put my leg over for the first time, setting off with great expectations in the early morning sunlight? Was it scaling the first hill, or feeling the thrill of flying as I made it down the other side? I'm not sure - but it happened and I was hooked. I am a social cyclist and have never entered any event longer than a day race and I am most definitely not the camping type, so not sure what is the most daunting the cycling or the camping!

Why am I going on this journey?
My friends and family call it a mid-life crisis! I laugh them off - I'm living my life. I love cycling, travelling, Africa and making a difference in the lives of others. With this expedition I can do all of that. My aim is to also join the EFI club.

What is my background?
I am a trained accountant who grew up in Pretoria and spend most of my professional career in banking. I have worked & lived in a number of African countries, my last position as COO of a national bank. I left the corporate world last year and stumbled across this event. A great way to start a sabbatical! I am an old timer at one day races Argust Cycling Tour (5) , Highveld 94.7 (5), and the Karoo to Coast. How will I survive such a challenging race? I will focus on the hundreds of children my effort will help.

My cause
Matla A Bana – A voice against child abuse, is my chosen charity for two reasons. This national, South African, organisation helps to minimise the abuse children suffer when they report crimes against them. It is said that a child is raped every 3 minutes in South Africa. This organisation reaches more than 5000 children a year. It was founded my two of my good friends, Callie and Monique Strydom, who survived a four-month hostage ordeal in the hands of Al Qaeda terrorists. This is the second reason why I support this charity. The two of them have great understanding for living and operating under extreme conditions – and they are most probably the only two friends who will understand the suffering awaiting me!