The Absa #SheUntamed movement is gaining momentum, but it’s still being fine-tuned as a tribe of committed women explore ways to ensure that it achieves its two objectives – getting more women to start – and finish – the Absa Cape Epic, and creating more mountain biking opportunities for women. We asked four women in key roles driving the initiative some burning questions.
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SARAH HILL – THE PRO
In addition to being a competitive racer, Sarah is a professional cycling coach – and head coach for Absa’s #SheUntamed initiative. She has completed three editions of the Absa Cape Epic.
There’s been growth and some consistency since 2019 with Absa #SheUntamed, but it’s still a challenging project each year. What needs to be done to reduce the challenge of achieving your annual women’s Absa Cape Epic participation goal?
There are two important elements to this. 1) Financial backing and 2) Commitment of riders. When it comes to the Absa #SheUntamed movement, our goal as a team is to have this project run all year round. Up until this point, although a ton of work has gone into the project from a behind-the-scenes perspective, the project itself has only formally kicked off six months before the Absa Cape Epic.
To have coaches, mentors, race organisers and other influential events/people involved, it does take quite a lot of investment. We have seen this project grow from two women to 40, and with that comes time, effort and considerable preparation from my team and the women who will participate. The Absa Cape Epic is not getting any easier, and the preparation required to get one woman over the finish line from not being able to ride a mountain bike takes YEARS!
After four years of being a part of this Absa movement, we are now seeing the commitment of riders who have invested their time and efforts in preparing for the event IN THE HOPE that they get selected, finally pay off. It would be nice to be able to announce our team earlier and assist in the preparation a year in advance, rather than waiting until October and November. The biggest reason for this is there is quite a difference between family plans in December for those racing the Absa Cape Epic, and those who are not!
The second part to this is the rider pool in general. As I’ve mentioned, only after four years are we starting to see the true strength and potential of our Absa #SheUntamed crew. The typical challenges that are faced by not only women of colour, but all women, is the cost of equipment and maintenance of their bicycles.
Due to the demands of the Absa Cape Epic, we need our ladies to be fully prepared, not just from a physical standpoint, but from an equipment standpoint too. It is a MASSIVE self-investment to get one to the start line – even if the entry to the race is covered. Typically, we see challenges in nutrition costs, bicycle-related maintenance, transport and accommodation to training camps, entry fees, and essentially sacrificing leave that once went to holiday time to the Absa Cape Epic in March.
Anyone who has completed this race that measures all, or has done more than one, will not shy away from the expenses it entails. However, this personal investment is well worth the journey of self-improvement and growth. I have seen our Absa #SheUntamed women overcome so many speedbumps and challenges along the way to the start line. To be able to juggle full-time jobs, kids, relationships, school fees, household costs and still find time to train for the big event over and above it all, is an achievement in itself. I am so proud to see this transformative journey, and I look forward to assisting more women in the years to come.
In your experience, what are the women on the Absa #SheUntamed movement achieving comfortably?
The women on the Absa #SheUntamed movement are mastering tools such as extreme time-management, pushing physical boundaries, redefining limitations, learning new (and uncomfortable) things, making new friends, ultra-endurance fitness (that can fall under extreme patience too!), elevated health and wellness from nutrition, education, exercise fuelling, family wellness, the true meaning of quality time, heart health, the benefits of rest, self-investment, psychological growth, introspection, team dynamics, group cohesion, independence, performance under pressure, following structured programmes, positive consequence to putting in REAL work, new experiences and adventures around the country, positive motivation by women who have walked the path already, wisdom from learning from mistakes, and, ultimately, finishing the Absa Cape Epic.
Mountain biking has a way of toughening you up while exposing your vulnerabilities. To become more self-aware around what makes you tick enables you to perform at your best. The Absa Cape Epic is a fantastic goal to work towards to essentially understand who you truly are. I know it sounds a bit ridiculous, but it’s a tried and tested theory and, trust me, it works.
What do you feel they mostly struggle with? Why do you think this is?
I’ve mentioned quite a few things above that might be able to answer this question, but to reiterate on a few that could relate more to our ladies: Overcoming cultural expectations; having open conversations with partners around weekend time management; late-night training sessions after work and dinner; investing money in weekends away that might not include the family; going on holiday where training sessions can still be performed; adapting the household meals to suit a healthier, athletic lifestyle; investing savings into a new bicycle, shoes, a helmet, gloves, crank set, chainrings, brakes, etc; sacrificing social time for rest; having friends question your life choices when you choose to go home early and wake up at 04:00 to train before your son’s soccer match. The struggle for work/life/love/social balance is immense! To have an environment where everyone and everything is in your corner while you focus so intensely on the goal is a hard place to get to, but it has been proven over and over again by the Absa #SheUntamed community.
How important do you feel the hospitality support at the Team Absa Zone at the race villages is to the Absa #SheUntamed participants?
Absa has identified a key element into completing the Absa Cape Epic most effectively. This is an environment that is continuously cleaned post-stage with showers, towels, soap, private change rooms, access to day bags, clean meals, snacks and a comfortable space to unwind. It is much more than just an Absa showcase. I never truly understood the benefits to the Team Absa Zone until I saw the value in my recovery protocol after every stage of the Absa Cape Epic. They remove a massive stress off the riders’ shoulders. To walk into a space of encouragement, positivity and smiles from the on-the-ground crew when you might be filled with tears is one of the biggest reasons I feel people leave feeling ready for the next day – refuelled from the inside out.
What is your advice for women who want to compete in the Absa Cape Epic?
This is not a quick decision or something that should be considered lightly. This is the hardest mountain bike stage race in the world, often for reasons you don’t expect. This is going to change your life for the better, but will require an enormous amount of input, sacrifice and support to get to that start line. It will be an incredibly hard commitment, but one of the most rewarding experiences of your life!
Give yourself time to prepare – jump into stage races longer than three days a year before the event. Dial your nutrition in, find a coach that can guide you through the journey! Ensure that your equipment is up to scratch. Make sure your friends and family are on board with this decision!
HANNELE STEYN – THE LAST LIONESS
Hannele is a former winner of the Absa Cape Epic. She’s the only woman and one of just three who have completed all 19 editions of the iconic race. She is an Absa #SheUntamed Coach and Nutrition Adviser.
There’s been growth and some consistency since 2019 with Absa #SheUntamed. But it’s still a challenging project each year. What needs to be done to reduce the challenge of achieving your annual women participation goal?
There has been incredible growth since 2019, but the COVID-19 restrictions did disrupt it a lot. Although, since 2022, it has been an explosion of amazing growth, but also lessons learned of what works and what not. The greatness of the people who drive this initiative is that nothing is set in stone. We grow with it, we learn, we eliminate mistakes and continue to do what we can to make it even better. Absa really listens to your story and is open to making improvements all the time.
We are the coaches and mentors, but the people who inspire us, are the Tina Venters and the Michael Silvas and their teams. But they keep on asking us what we see, what we suggest, and then also give the support to do it.
We are continually improving our next-year plan by learning from what we are doing wrong currently – and what we are doing right. It is very exciting and we are already working on what comes after the 2024 Absa Cape Epic and building up to 2025 Absa Cape Epic.
In your experience, what are the women in the Absa #SheUntamed movement achieving comfortably?
The women are currently realising that the Absa Cape Epic is tough and it is not about skin colour or social standing or anything else but EMPOWERING all women to realise that if this is their passion, they can achieve it and #SheUntamed is fully supportive and helpful.
What do you feel they mostly struggle with?
The biggest struggle is to change a cyclist (bicycle rider) into a mountain biker and, more so, an Absa Cape Epic mountain biker, because there is a difference. After 19 Cape Epics, I cannot tell you why this race that measures all is so challenging, but I can tell you, the toughness is REAL.
The one thing I do see and that is why I believe in this movement – is the passion, tenacity, discipline and never-surrendering spirit of women. As women, we believe it, but the Absa #SheUntamed movement is PROVING it.
How important do you feel the hospitality support at the Team Absa Zone at the race villages is to the Absa #SheUntamed participants?
Wow, the support village – I really want to sound like I know all about it, because believe me, I know what it is like without it! I cannot show the women the difference, because they only see this now, but the other scenario is getting off your bike, first eating something, then finding a shower and waiting in the queue, washing your kit, going back to a very hot tent and using a porta potty as your toilet. Compare this to an air-conditioned VIP zone with showers, real toilets, amazing food, cold drinks, Absa mechanics and massage services, and more… I rest my case, your honour!
What is your advice for women who want to compete in the Absa Cape Epic?
If you have the passion and you are willing to put in the work, and if you can make friends with pain, and if your heart is in the right place, you CAN do it.
TINA VENTER – THE DRIVING FORCE
Tina is the woman that heads up the #SheUntamed campaign at Absa.Without Absa, there is no campaign, and without Tina, there is no leader.
You are obviously professionally invested in #SheUntamed, but do you have any personal connection to the campaign?
I hail from a very long line of strong women and growing up in the corporate sector affirmed the notion that you must fight for things you care about, but you must do it in a way that will lead others to join you.
I believe in the power of women. Just over three years ago, working as the project lead on this Absa flagship property, I was confronted by the optics. Being a woman myself who has achieved in sport, I know that it builds character and discipline and teaches you how to navigate your way through life. Through the access I had and by having a voice and a seat at the table, I aligned myself with women like Dr Phathokuhle Zondi, Nicole Capper, Letshego Zulu and Carli Cooke to dissect this race that conquers all, regarded as the toughest, and build a powerful community of women to inspire and empower them to showcase their passionate spirit and call on them to step up and clip in.
There’s an obvious association between #SheUntamed and the Absa Cape Epic. Do you think there is scope for the #SheUntamed movement to expand beyond the Absa Cape Epic at any stage?
Absolutely. The Absa #SheUntamed initiative was designed to encourage women to brave The Untamed African MTB race and give them the support – through skills training, mentorship, nutritional and mechanical advice – to get to the finish. #SheUntamed embodies our dedication to empowering women, fostering inclusivity and shattering barriers. With that in mind, the Absa Cape Epic was merely the birthing ground. At Absa, the spirit of #SheUntamed is now being rolled out across our other properties like sport, arts and culture as well as lifestyle.
There’s been growth and some consistency since 2019 with #SheUntamed, but it’s still a challenging project each year. What needs to be done to reduce the challenge of achieving your annual women’s Absa Cape Epic participation goal?
A few things. Building a funnel of girls and women to have a pipeline, changing perception and playing an active role in promoting positive societal change. The build needs to be sustainable and mutually beneficial to both parties from a commercial viewpoint. It is not just about the walking, running or riding, it is how we as a corporate choreograph their stories whether through products, services or opportunities to become contributors in their communities and society.
Can you explain how the #SheUntamed campaign selects its Absa Cape Epic riders each year?
Absa has been the Title and Exclusive Naming Rights Sponsor of the event since 2006. In September 2023, Absa announced our three-year extension as title sponsor of the event until 2027. The sponsorship remains an important client engagement and networking platform for Absa across multiple business units. Through our contractual relationship, Team Absa is an experience where Absa has upgraded a specific team to make its 2024 Absa Cape Epic journey more memorable and comfortable. It comprises 60 teams (two riders per team) representing Absa’s business clusters [Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB), Everyday Banking, Product Solutions and Relationship Banking], select functions and the Absa Group Exco. The teams are selected through a rigorous process based on their relationship with Absa, their ability to ride and have the necessary financial backing to afford to ride.
CAROLINE MATSIMELA – THE NEWBIE
Caroline is the co-founder of the Matsimela Ladies Clinics, which teach black women to ride bicycles and improve their confidence and motivation to achieve. She is a spirited Absa #SheUntamed Mentor.
There’s been growth and some consistency since 2019 with Absa #SheUntamed. But it’s still a challenging project each year. What needs to be done to reduce the challenge of achieving your annual women participation goal?
From five female riders with Team Absa in 2019 to 40 in 2024 – that is MASSIVE! And a 200% increase of women riders from 2022 to 2023 within Team Absa! I think the more women #ShareTheirStories, the more women will be inspired to take on the challenge of participation.
In your experience, what are the women on the Absa #SheUntamed movement achieving comfortably?
The Absa #SheUntamed women are achieving growth, exposure and access to hard stage races in which they have never been able to participate. This is all possible because of the investment and support from Absa. The support and community make a huge difference with coaches, mentors and experienced riders, plus lots of logistical support, which makes it easier to focus on riding and learning from each other.
And what do you feel they mostly struggle with?
Honestly, the Absa Cape Epic is hard! Eight days of gruelling mountains and technical terrain – that’s no joke! I have not done it myself, but the journey is hard because we are mothers, professionals and yet still expected to put in a lot of hours on the bike. On the flip side, that’s what makes women GREATER!
How important do you feel the hospitality support at the Team Absa Zone at the race villages is to the Absa #SheUntamed participants?
The Absa hospitality provided at race villages is first-class – they think about everything. They go all out to make the experience pleasant after a hard, long day. You get VIP showers, massages, food, bike mechanics and more. Everything is taken care of so that you can recover and recharge to enable you to tackle the next day stress-free; an absolute privilege!
In addition to the core Absa #SheUntamed team, there is a full support crew of predominantly women behind the scenes too. From staff members at Absa and their agency partners, to visual and written media teams. It’s a fact that when motivated women pool their energy and resources, things get done!
Photography by AC Media
