Glo-Sponsored African Voices Celebrates Female Bikers

Two female mountain bikers are being featured in the latest edition of the weekly CNN African Voices, aired by the Cable News Network and sponsored by Nigeria’s foremost telecommunications company, Globacom.

South African, Kirsten Landman, and Kenyan tour guide, Grace Mwari, will share their life stories with viewers of the popular programme this weekend.

The first person to be showcased is Landman, who started her romance with bike-riding at age 8, inspired by her cousin and uncle. She continued to nurture the interest till she launched a professional career in bike riding at the age of 22. She has since made a name for herself globally through her exploits in the field of hard enduro racing. 

She became the first female to finish races such as Redbull Romaniacs, Redbull Sea to Sky, Redbull Megawatt 111, Redbull Braveman and the Roof of Africa, among numerous international races.

The second person featured is, Mwari, an off-road motorcycle tour guide at Offroad Adventure East Africa.

Mwari who was influenced by her friend to embrace racing, now takes tourists who are interested for safaris in little known places to experience wildlife, culture and the most spectacular scenery.

She has ridden for five consecutive years, making her the only female enduro racer who has been consistent for so long.

She has since ridden in South East Asia, Southern Africa, East Africa, Morocco and parts of Europe.

Recalling how she got into bike-riding, she said she had housemates who were riders and they thought she was capable of doing it as well.

“I was living and working in India and when they invited me on a trip to the Himalayas, I did not think twice about it. I got hooked after that trip and have been riding ever since,” she said.

Catch African Voices Change Makers on DSTV on Friday at 9.30 a.m. and on Saturday at 12.30 p.m., 5.30 p.m. and 8.30 p.m.  Other repeat broadcasts come up on Sunday at 5.00 a.m., 9.30 a.m. and 8.30 p.m., with more repeats on Monday and Tuesday at 5.30 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. respectively.