An unassuming Stellenbosch University (SU) student put pedal to the metal to achieve an amazing feat at the weekend.
Sarah Camp, a final-year medical student, arrived in Hillcrest, just outside Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, on Saturday (4 November) after cycling from Worcester across South Africa for 10 days – a distance of more than 1 500 km.
Inspired by Professor Thuli Madonsela’s efforts to assist students with university debt, the young doctor-to-be completed this amazing journey to raise funds for #Action4Inclusion, a student-debt alleviation initiative by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) at SU.
To put the 25-year-old’s achievement in perspective, at an average of 150 km per day she has completed a Cape Town Cycle Tour plus every day for 10 days, without a break. Or, she has tackled a South African version of the Tour de France, amateur style. “No wonder my bottom feels a little tender!” she laughed after arriving home.
Madonsela, director of the CSJ, was one of the first people to congratulate Camp on achieving her goal. “It was heartwarming when we received news of Sarah’s intention to undertake a cycling pilgrimage in support of our Pilgrimage of Hope, which is an extension of our #Action4Inclusion crowdfunding initiative. I was moved deeply by her generosity of spirit and immediately indicated to my CSJ team that we must support her,” she said.”
“Sarah’s cycling will keep the flame of hope burning while our Pilgrimage of Hope awaits resumption from 20 January to 2 February next year. In undertaking this journey as her ubuntu-grounded gesture of human solidarity Sarah follows in the footsteps of SU’s rector and vice-chancellor Professor Wim de Villiers, a doctor himself, who cycles, walks and hikes to end student hunger and raise funds to remove student debt as a barrier to completing higher education studies.
“She also follows in the footsteps of Tygerberg medical Professor Karin Baatjes, who raised more than R100 000 to help disadvantaged students through walking earlier in 2023. We joined her on one of her walks. We as the CSJ are proud to be associated with Sarah and inspired by her compassion and selfless service to humanity. We hope she motivates many more within the Matie community and beyond.”
Camp is no stranger to physical endurance and pushing the boundaries; she has traversed the 230 km Drakensberg Mountain range on foot, paddled the 330 km length of England’s River Thames in a canoe, and tackled her first Comrades Marathon earlier this year.
Her epic cycling journey started with the sunrise at SU’s Ukwanda Medical School Campus in Worcester on Thursday 26 October. It finished as the sunset over Hillcrest on 4 November. Over the 10 days she traversed the breadth of the country, travelling through the Western Cape Winelands and on into South Africa’s dry Karoo heartland, through the rolling hills and rugged mountains of the Eastern Cape and finally down towards the lush green east coast of KZN.
She experienced and survived all that Mother Nature could throw at her – sunshine, wind and rain – and in the process raised more than R20 000 for the alleviation of student debt, through her fundraising platform on GivenGain.
“Graduation is just around the corner, but for many of my classmates, there is little cause to celebrate, as this marks the start of a long journey towards overcoming student debt,” Camp explained.
“Inspired by my peers and Prof Madonsela’s Pilgrimage of Hope I decided to undertake a journey of my own – to cycle the 1 500 km from res to my home in KZN and raise funds for student-debt relief in the process.”
Camp is passionate about supporting students who cannot register for the next academic year because of outstanding student fees as well as graduates who are unable to access academic records upon graduation owing to student debt.
“Access to education shouldn’t depend on wealth,” said Camp. “In my small way, I wanted to do my bit to help talented young professionals get the start they deserve!”
Camp had to tackle numerous hurdles of her own before her adventure could begin: convincing her professors to grant her and her back-up driver, fellow medical student Bianca Tout, leave of absence from hospital, making sure all her academic work was up to date, borrowing a bicycle, arranging sponsorship for fuel and accommodation along the way and, most importantly, persuading her loved ones she would take all necessary safety precautions during her epic journey (including a lurid safety vest and flashing light to ensure proper visibility on the road).
After a warm reception by proud family members and her dog Spencer, Camp said it was surreal to be back home. “I can’t believe that I don’t have to climb on a bicycle tomorrow! I am so grateful to everyone who made the trip possible, especially Bianca, for all her support on the road. It was definitely a team effort – I couldn’t have done it without her,” said Camp.
“But also, to my parents, Prof Madonsela and Marna Lourens from CSJ for the petrol money, and all the kind folks across the country who gave us warm beds to sleep in. We have a beautiful country with warm hospitable people, and I feel blessed to have been lucky enough to see it by bicycle, and to have made the journey for #Action4Inclusion. I hope that the trip has helped raise awareness and funds for student debt relief, so that more deserving young South Africans can access the education they deserve. Everyone, in their own small way, can make a difference.”
De Villiers also congratulated Camp, saying her steely resolve embodies the spirit of the SU community. “We are immensely proud of her determination and commitment to addressing the pressing issue of student debt. Her initiative is a shining example of how students can make a real impact, and it resonates with our university’s core values of inclusivity and access to education for all. As a fellow-cyclist and doctor I applaud her remarkable achievement. We’re inspired by her passion for making a difference.”
Prof Elmi Muller, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, said the Tygerberg and SU community is immensely proud of Camp. “Her accomplishment is truly remarkable, not only in terms of the impressive distance she covered but also the incredible dedication it took to cycle 150 km per day for a consecutive 10 days. What makes her achievement even more inspiring is the fact that she undertook this journey to raise funds for her fellow students. Camp is a shining example of determination and compassion, and she serves as a true inspiration to all of us.”
After taking a well-deserved rest on the day of her arrival, Camp started preparing for her car drive back to Worcester on Sunday (5 November) to complete the last week of her final medical exams.
To contribute to Camp’s fundraising efforts, visit her online GivenGain profile.
