By Noko Mashilo
Every morning, before the sun rises over Manguzi, KZN, Maryke Bezuidenhout pedals 23 kilometres from her home to Manguzi Hospital, not just as the head of the Rehabilitation Department, but also as a driving force behind the Manguzi Gijima Wellness Foundation.
Her journey of 46 km a day is more than a commute; it is a moving billboard of creativity, advocacy, and community spirit. With insulation tape, plastic flowers, light-up rattles, and a bread crate strapped to the back.
Bezuidenhout has transformed her old gravel bike into a colourful spectacle that turns heads and sparks conversations. What began as a simple ride to work has become a powerful statement about inclusion, participation, and the spirit of this year’s theme, I am not my disability, see my ability.
Born in Pretoria, Gauteng but now lives in Manguzi for the past 23 years, Bezuidenhout said on the road, even taxis slow down to check on her, and strangers break into smiles and conversations. I have never seen the community respond quite like this. My two wheels have become a symbol of wellness, resilience, and the power of thinking big, even with something as simple as a bicycle,” Bezuidenhout explained.
Bezuidenhout’s moving billboard was inspired by the upcoming annual Manguzi Gijima wellness event that is taking place on the 20 September at Shayina Stadium. It will feature a wide range of races, including 3km, 5km, 10km, and 21km routes, with dedicated prize categories across a spectrum of disabilities, physical, visual, auditory, and intellectual.
When Bezuidenhout asked how she feels about an event that celebrates persons with disabilities through sports and fitness, she said Manguzi Gijima is built on the theme, see my ability, not my disability. “Each year, the event is co-created with local, provincial, and national disability stakeholders who are part of the planning, implementation, and wrap-up process. The gathering attracts around 2,000 participants, of whom approximately 1,100 are differently abled. But it is not a disability event, it is everyone’s event,” she said.
She further said at its heart, Manguzi Gijima is about normalizing social interactions, opening inclusive spaces, and shifting attitudes and beliefs in a positive, fun environment. It is a platform to showcase ability, challenge perspectives, and celebrate diversity.
“For many individuals, the event also serves as an opportunity to connect, networking, sharing solutions, benchmarking experiences, discovering new abilities, and building a stronger sense of community,” said the mountain biker.
Bezuidenhout’s encouragement to persons with disabilities, particularly those who want to take part in activities that promote health and wellness is that we all want to belong and be included. “Sport and wellness activities are a powerful way to achieve this. I firmly believe in the strength of peer support and mentoring, whether formal or informal, as they create encouragement, accountability, and a sense of community,” said Bezuidenhout.
She has emphasised that events like this matter. “They provide an inclusive platform to participate, connect, and inspire change. Be part of this truly unique occasion and let it be the beginning of a positive difference you can make in society, no matter how small,” she concluded.
