Image Source: Viory
Africa – “I ride for peace” — those are the words of Miguel Masaisai, a 23-year-old cyclist from Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo who has completed a gruelling 7,000-kilometre solo ride to Cape Town as part of his Peddling for Peace mission.
With no sponsors and no support vehicle, Masaisai is now making his way north through East Africa, currently resting in Tabora, Tanzania, two months after leaving Cape Town.
The young athlete said his journey is driven by a sense of urgency about the ongoing conflict in his home country, and a belief that silence is not an option. He has his sights set on Rabat, Morocco, which he expects to reach in approximately four months.
“Peddling for Peace is a cry for peace in DRC. You know the situation that is in Congo is no good. People are suffering, and from my side as an athlete, I said that I cannot keep quiet. I have to do something to raise awareness about the situation that is in Congo,” Masaisai said.
On the road
Masaisai covers between 120 and 150 kilometres each day, beginning his preparation at 4am and hitting the road by 5am. He rides through all weather conditions, refusing to let rain derail his progress.
Finding food and shelter has been among the most persistent hardships of the journey. In remote stretches with no guest houses, Masaisai relies on the goodwill of local communities, stopping to explain his mission before asking for a place to rest.
“There are some villages where you cannot find even a guest house or a place to sleep. You have to go find people, try to explain to them what you are doing, who you are, why you want to sleep there,” Masaisai said.
Despite the difficulties, his family has stood firmly behind him. After his arrival in Cape Town proved his resolve, their early doubts gave way to daily phone calls of encouragement and prayer. Masaisai is already looking beyond Africa, with plans to carry his peace message to Europe, the Americas, and Asia.
