A huge success for 2026.
Mpumalanga, where the sun rises.
The Lowveld has long been a popular holiday destination for everyone, especially motorcyclists, but this ride was not one for fun or relaxation. In fact, this week-long trip through the towns and farmlands of the Lowveld involved plenty of work and late nights, months of planning and recce’s, organisation, and networking. It’s all about raising awareness and early detection of Cancer.
By Stefan vd Riet. Pics by Black Rock Studio.
On October 3, the Cancervive all-women, predominantly Suzuki DS250 motorcycle fleet took on the road from Gauteng to visit Mpumalanga for a week-long flagship ride through the towns and farmlands of the Lowveld. They took to the Lowveld to visit schools, hospitals and farms to help break myths and stigmas, and educate communities on what cancer really is and what you can do about it. Stops included Rob Ferreira High School, Lowveld Secondary School, Agristar Macadamia Farm, York Timbers, and the Rob Ferreira Hospital Oncology Ward, to name just a few.
The mission: To start conversations about a disease that has long been mysterious amongst many of South Africa’s communities, and to give people the tools for early detection to help save lives. Backed by sponsors like Suzuki South Africa, who supplied the vehicles for the convoy; Astral and Goldi Chicken, who donated food and supplies throughout the years to hand out to communities in need, and Netcare 911 to help keep the group in check and be ready and available in case of emergencies.
There were plenty more sponsors and companies who helped the Cancervive’s throughout the ride to complete their mission, and it is thanks to caring communities that they are able to touch so many lives with their message of hope.
If you are in a position to sponsor this initiative, please do get in touch with them
The team spent 6 days in the Lowveld, travelling between Mbombela, White River and Sabi, engaging with over 6000 school kids and workers, not only giving education, but leaving people with a tool that is easily accessible to almost everyone. At every edu session, the crowd is introduced to Thuto, the Cancervive WhatsApp chatbot, which anyone can message to learn about cancer and get in touch with representatives to help them if needed. Thuto speaks 6 different South African languages and is constantly being developed in the background.
Amongst their stops, the Cancervivers met with a group of health care professionals from all over the Lowveld to learn more about the challenges they face on a day-to-day basis when it comes to cancer awareness.
The Cancervive flagship ride is an event organised by Cancervive, an NPO whose mission is to raise awareness about cancer, prevention, and saving lives. Once a year, Cancervive, consisting of a small team of permanent members as well as multiple volunteers, gets together and travels to rural and underserved communities throughout South Africa to spread education and celebrate life. The Flagship ride started 15 years ago when a group of breast cancer survivors travelled the country on their motorcycles, creating the Journey of Hope.
Today it has grown into its own organisation with education shows and fundraisers happening throughout the year over Gauteng and the Western Cape.
The Cancervive mission is an ongoing one and the Cancervivers are driven by inspiration from survivors and supporters from all over the country, whose lives are touched and whose stories provide hope to so many others.
If you’d like to get involved, donate or support, visit Cancervive or follow them on socials: Instagram @cancervive_za, Facebook @cancervive
