I am now a cyclist who was born on the 14 March 1982. I was born and raised in a village called Khubetsoana in the capital town of Maseru. I was raised by a single parent who was self employed and owned a business in which she sold traditional crafts to tourists near the border post of Maseru. In 1992 I went to join her as I had realized that she was struggling because she was the only breadwinner in the family. My skill in building bicycles was stirred by one man who’s hobby was building bicycles from old parts and lending them also to those whose interest was riding ,in exchange for money.
Riding bicycles has always been my passion because I remember clearly that I used to hire bicycles from the little money that I had earned in helping my mother in her business, I did not have my own at that time , but I pursued on riding, actually I had a dream to become a national cyclist, I continued helping my mother in her business and I was amongst one of those kids who had outstanding customer service and I got in return a BMX bicycle from one of the tourists and it was all joy.
Having now a bicycle of my own, I used as transport to whatever place I needed to go to so life became a little easier, I was advised to leave the border post in fear that I would turn to an ill-disciplined and mischievous child as most of the kids at the border post were known to be. I began performing and demonstrating my skill in riding and competed with some of the people who were fortunate enough tohave been bought bicycles by their parents and I turned out good.
In 2001 I had Godsend neighbours, one lady and gentleman who had membership in one of the local hotels and used to have dine there. One time they had gone out for dinner, they spotted an entry form for a bicycle race which is held annually in Lesotho namely TOUR DE LESOTHO, they remembered that I had great interest in riding bicycles so they helped me register for the race and lent me one of the mountain bikes which they owned in their home in preparation for the massive race.
I started going to different places in my country as far as 120km to 200km, which was when I had gone to visit one of my relatives in the mountains of Lesotho. As I was still in school at that time, I slept for the night and went back home the following day and this was how I started exercising and riding long distances. I used to take long distances during weekends then after school during weekdays. One of my companions who was my best friend at that time used to keep me company in my long distance journeys and helped me also in repairing bicycles. In 2002 I was introduced to a lot of famous and professional cyclists from other countries and from my country as well who had started partaking in these races before me.
Considering the kind of bicycle that I was riding, most cyclists thought I was not going to make it in the race but they were amazed at the strength that I had displayed. In comparison to their’s mine was that of a lower standard for the kind of route we were taking. The distance was 86km and the uphill was 2286 m high which was rather too much for my bicycle. But I pursued still, I refused the 58km and went for the 86km race and I was amazed also at my potential. I did better than most of the professional cyclists and this was a sign to me that I was meant to be a Top cyclist. The first race in 2002 I completed in 4:47hrs, then the second one in 4;40hrs then the third one in 4;36 and I was slowly getting better, in my first race with a proper and lighter Mountain bike, which was my fourth, I experienced trouble with my bike in the middle of the race , all thanks to intelligence , I found a way in fixing the broken gear cable, I picked up a stone put it on the jokey(gear machine),and rode in one gear(normal light gear) all the way to the finish line, and amazingly, I finished the race in 3;52hrs.
I made people proud and amongst them was a manager to one of the major companies in Lesotho namely Lesotho brewing Company, I was sponsored with a brand new racing bicycle which was worth R8000.00 and was obviously of a high standard, I entered the races once again and this time completed the race in 3;32hrs and I qualified for being in the national cycling team. There I started racing internationally, representing Lesotho and appearing to be the best in the country. I am proud of this because I worked hard towards it, having to start exercising at 3.00am during my long distance rides was not easy. Also, a month before the annual race my friend had an accident in one of the dangerous curves in the mountains which terribly affected me, he died in my presence and I had tried all in power to save his life but he was badly injured and he died at his arrival to hospital. Instead of losing hope and despairing I increased my passion in riding, if this did not cause me to quit then no situation can or will cause me to lose hope.
In 2006 I had a chance to compete in the local cyclist’s races leagues and I made it for the national team, once again, and this time we were going to take part in the common wealth games in Melbourne, Australia, competition was tough there but I still made it to be the best in my country. Then in 2008, I participated in the World View Challenge representing Lesotho. Usually for representing the government in such games, the representatives have to get Pocket money or a certain allowance from the government. Very unfortunately the money was received by the committee members who were not so trustworthy in giving the right food to the cyclists. As a result we complained to the association but our complaints were not taken into consideration. Some of my co- cyclists dropped out but I persevered through the tough situations.
I had some issues too which I tried to solve but it never worked out. Then I went to the commission of sports hoping that they would come between, they failed also. I went on to the Minister Of Sports hoping I would get help and that the issues would be solved, I was told it was difficult for them to act in my favour because It would be unjust to take sides. I decided then, to leave the association.
I started a Non- profit Making Project, in which I gathered youth surrounding my area, I trained them in cycling as a sport, I also opened a workshop where I repair their bicycles. I was told that one of the members of the committee cycling association which I had dropped out of had gone to the USA for a coaching course. He told people that he motivated children in Lesotho and that they were needy,. A few months ago I organized a race for these kids, as I planned to have such races regularly at different villages to impact the kids in the area with cycling sport.
One day as we were having a race as normal , A camera man just arrived without being given a formal invitation and started taking pictures without permission of those in administration of the event. The pictures which he had taken were to be sent to the USA for the donations which we knew nothing about. I was very concerned because I was worried that the kids in my club would not benefit from the donations especially because we were not in good terms , but he wanted to use my project to benefit LCA. LCA is not doing anything for some cyclists in this country, in terms of support, we are in the process of working things out with the association. When they realized that I am taking a step in starting my own project thus succeeding, they wanted to stop me from doing what is right for the kids, hence destroying my reputation, also trying to shatter the dreams of these kids. My intention basically is not to make profit out of the kids, but to instill in them the love for cycling sport. This matter has been brought to the attention of the nation, through advertising media. I made the UCI and ACA aware that the whole thing with the committee members was a scam. They responded and ordered that the matter be solved amongst us. The minister of Sports is proud of what I do, she said that I am important to the government in taking part in the encouragement of youth to join sports. The minister encouraged me to work with the LCA but I told her that it was quite difficult because they had not taken our complaints into consideration and that a lot of hurtful, stuff still goes on. The minister supports me for what is right for the kids, the commissioner is also proud.