Three weeks ago this time we were busy packing and getting ready for the SAPS cycle tour in aid of the SAPS Educational fund…. Time surely don’t stand still and waits for nobody.

Let me rewind back in time for a little while and tell you more about the Opening ceremony held on 7 May 2012 at Cape Gate Shopping Center’s parking lot.

It was a very cold and cloudy morning. The riders were all pumped up for the tour to start, but like any big event it had to be started in the right way. There were some important people present to wish the men and women well on the tour.  They were  Major General Sharon Jephta, Brigadier Adonis, Brigadier Mamela, Brigadier van Niekerk, Lieutenant  Colonel Traut, Lieutenant Colonel Mngcokola, Colonel Joseph, Captain Petersen and Leon Brynard.

The proceedings started with our Master of Ceremony Boesman van Zyl he had everyone in stitches with his acting.  I  was quite skeptical about how the top people will react to him but must say what I observed was that  Major General Sharon Jephta and Brigadier van Niekerk really enjoyed his acting and that was a relieve. It took the others a while to warm up to him but in the end everybody was laughing and even joking with.

Captain Petersen read from the Bible and said a prayer. I must admit the prayer was very uplifting and it touched my heart. I believe that you do not start anything without asking our Heavenly Farther to bless it and if you go on a trip you ask Him to put His hand of  protection over each and everyone on that trip.  Captain Petersen did just that. He even asked that the family members staying home be blessed and kept safe till we return. Amen to that.

Our Master of Ceremonies then told another few jokes.

 

After laughing themselves teary eyed  the Master of Ceremonies  gave the podium to Colonel Joseph. Colonel Joseph are the Station Commander at Brackenfell SAPS.  He thanked the men and ladies for their eagerness and  bigheartedness to cycle 496 km for the children of colleagues who lost their lives in the line of duty. Colonel Joseph also invited Major General Sharon Jephta to join the cyclist for the last 8 km of the tour.

Now I must brag, I know my husband won’t but I am very proud of him. For nearly two years now he was saying he wanted to do another cycle tour to raise funds for something but what?  In the past Brackenfell SAPS  had 4 cycle tours all in aid of a school or children in need of medical equipment. Then last year the SAPS started the Educational trust fund and he saw the opportunity.  They got the Blessings of all the necessary people and the planning began.

Okay back to the ceremony.  Colonel Josephs gave the podium to Major General Sharon Jephta. She also thanked the men and women in advanced for what they are doing and told them that she was proud to be associated with members who are willing to cycle 496 km and put their bodies at risk for their colleagues.  She also thanked the Master of Ceremonies for his entertainment and said that she enjoyed his acting. She then accepted the invitation to cycle the last 8 km with the cyclist and members of the public on Friday 11 May 2012.

Brigadier Mamela also said a few words and also thanked everyone for going this extra mile for their colleagues.

The photographers from the SAPS took a few photo’s of the group and then the cyclist was on their way to their first stop on the Vissershok road.