Every year, when the leaves start to change colour and a nip in the air is felt in the early mornings, hundreds of people migrate to the small town of Underberg in the Southern Drakensberg. They typically arrive in cars sporting bike racks and shiny, freshly serviced mountain bikes, and passengers bristle with nervous excitement while staring out the windows at the beautiful mountain-scapes. They are the riders of KAP sani2c, and this is the 21st year that Farmer Glen Haw will welcome them to the start of the race at Glencairn, on the Sani Pass Road that leads up the Kingdom of Lesotho.
Paid partnership with Sappi
The KAP sani2c is a three-day, 265-kilometre mountain bike stage race, and it is known for its incredible single track, brilliant views that change from mountainous terrain through to thorny bushveld and coastal indigenous forests, as well as it’s top-notch race villages and rider support with endless supplies of delicious food and drink. Sappi are proud to say that roughly 20% of the race route traverses Sappi land, and we’re always excited to show support with our Sappi forestry teams who cheer on riders during the race. But more importantly, what the race is also known for is the value that it creates for the local communities that hem the route and who have been drawn into the nuts and bolts of the race over the last two decades.
Sappi strongly believes in only allowing events to take place on Sappi land if they are proven to show the Creation of Shared Value. It is part of our event application process, and this ensures that the benefits of a business or an event extend as far down the value chain as possible. There are countless socio-economic community needs, particularly in rural areas, and prioritising events with a far-reaching positive effect is one of our responsible land access actions.
Since its inception, the KAP sani2c has supported and involved schools, charities, rural populations, and entrepreneurs along the route. In 2017, it was formalised as the sani2c Community Development Trust, embodying the KAP sani2c ethos of “More Than A Ride”, and is a clear example of the Creation of Shared Value.
For the community, by the community
On a yearly basis, more than R10-million is distributed among the beneficiaries of the Trust who utilise the race as their largest fundraiser. Thirteen communities and 23 schools/charities and environmental groups benefit from the event, while KwaZulu-Natal Tourism estimate more than R50-million per annum is generated for the regions when including the tourism and hospitality industries, and a further R9-million benefits the country by the attendance of international competitors.
While the monetary statistics are impressive, what is also important is the legacy that the race has created in terms of the training and upskilling of artisanal workers including builders, tilers and carpenters. The amount of infrastructure and moving parts that an event of this size requires are massive, and with that these skills are needed for weeks prior, during and after the event.
Over the past 20 years, Sappi has welcomed the KAP sani2c to traverse our land. This has enabled the event to take place year in and year out, benefitting the communities and the many people involved in KAP sani2c. Many of these communities are Sappi communities too which has in turn benefitted Sappi and their employees. We are proud to welcome the KAP sani2c back in 2025 and wish the riders sunny skies and flowing trails for their races, look out for our people in blue cheering you on and thank you for investing in a race that makes a difference, for the community, by the community.
