First ever all black girls team takes on the Nedbank Desert Dash

At this year edition of the Nedbank Desert Dash 2022, we will see the Old Mutual All Black Girls team, which is solely made up of women from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.

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Vicky Dan, Winnie Mukupuki, Jackie Shipena and Sofia Simon; have set their sights on completing the 393 kilometers during the eighth edition of the Nedbank Desert Dash that will be held on 09 and 10 December 2022.

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Dan who is the mastermind behind the formation of the team said she was inspired and passionate to start an all black girls team after her first participation during the 2021 Nedbank Desert Dash, which was a challenge on its own to find potential black female riders.

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“Last year, I competed in the dash and I learned that there were no black women teams in this event, so I set a goal for myself to have an all-black team as part of inclusivity for this year's race,” she said.

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Dan added that only Simon and herself have previously participated in the Desert Dash before and therefore, are looking forward to a challenging and fun experience with the rest of the teammates. “We are working women but because cycling is a passion for us, we make time and train for this event as the goal is achieving the impossible,” Dan said. Adding that being an all-female team taught them about sisterhood, commitment as well as understanding their individual capabilities.

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Meanwhile, Simon who has done the Desert Dash twice said preparation is going well because every day is a new day to show up and work on her endurance. “Every pedal is a chance to improve. The training and nutrition can be challenging, as they play a crucial role; and also factoring in the mental preparation and one’s mental health,” Simon said.

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She added that her first experience in a two-person mixed team in 2019 was overwhelming. “There were days when you do not feel like training and started second-guessing if you are ready. Will you make it through the desert? What if you get lost in the desert? Is your mind ready for the challenge? Are you fit? All sorts of questions popping up when the days get near, and when you are finally in the desert you forget about all the self-doubt questions you had before and now think about the heat and the night breeze and snakes,” she said.

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Mukupuki who will be making her maiden appearance at this year’s Nedbank Desert Dash stated that as a team they all have other work and family commitments but when training comes in, they make it count. She added that competing in the Desert Dash was part of Shipena and her bucket lists.

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“We are a determined group of women, and we want to shatter stereotypes, and create new narratives about women thriving and even dominating in any industry or sporting category they aspire to,” she said, and added that they would like to encourage other women and black women, in particular, to participate in the Dash next year and in the future.

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Nedbank Namibia Communication and PR Manager, Selma Kaulinge, applauds the group of ladies for taking on the challenge of cycling in the Nedbank Desert Dash. “As one of the leading sponsors of cycling in Namibia, we appreciate that the sport is enjoyed by members of different demographics of our country. I am very proud of this team, and we see their determination to take on this incredible race with the hopes of finishing and it and hopefully create a narrative that women can also make their mark in the world’s longest single-stage cycling event,” Kaulinge said.

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The Nedbank Desert Dash 2022 is sponsored by Indongo Toyota, Spar (Maerua and The Grove) and Hollard Namibia.