Lucy Manzi - Assistant manager of the Safe Cycling Programme at the Life Cycling Academy

Getting to know Lucy:

Before joining the LCA I worked for Pick n Pay as a cashier.

A typical day would be visiting primary schools and teaching kids about safe cycling, and then cycling with them as part of learning. My dream is to raise awareness about the sport in the community. The sport of cycling is still very new in our community and I would like to raise champions from a young age.

I am currently training four girls aged 14 years, two 16 year olds and a 17 year old.

I face a lot of different challenges at times riders attend training on empty stomachs because they did not have anything to eat, and sometimes they do not want to go to training because of personal reasons.

I inspire the young up and coming cyclists by sitting down with them and allowing them to talk about their problems. If I have to intervene, I will then go to the families and have a talk with their parents or guardians (as some of them are living with siblings). I try by all means to give them all the motivation they need, by telling them that hard work and that determination is all they need to succeed in what ever they do. I tell them that life is not just an easy road - it has its ups and downs so to achieve ones goals hard work is required along with determination, commitment, loving what you are doing and being passionate about it. Most of all discipline is important, because if you do not have discipline, all you have worked for or are working for, will be in vain.

I love the fact that I am working hands on with young children. I love children so much and I like to share advice and life experiences with them.

Luthando Kaka inspires me! He is young and has faced many challenges in the environment he grew up in. In our community youngsters his age are often attracted to drugs and drinking alcohol. The fact that he was born and bred in this community but decided that he will stand out and do something for himself, that alone inspires me!

The best advice I received was from my late mother. She said that 'What ever I do, I must never forget God, the Creator, who will always guide me on the right path.'

I have lost two teenagers to drinking and partying due to peer pressure. This is an example of the challenges I face.

I overcome the challenges by talking to the girls and trying to make them understand the dangers of the outside world. I make them aware of the dangers of contracting HIV/AIDS and the effects of teenage pregnancies.

My message to the youth in townships would be to 'Keep yourself busy, get involved in sport and commit yourself to something. Then you will not have the time to go out there and do wrong things that will destroy you. Education is the weapon and once you have it no one can take it from you. This country needs young people to grow. Most of all, be respectful towards one another and lead by good examples."

My wish for the LCA is for it to grow bigger with a residence where the kids will be able to reside full time; to have a real academy with sporting and schooling facilities.

I would like to meet Nelson Mandela one day.

I was born in Cape Town on January 26, 1970.

I live in Khayelitsha.

I am married to Amos Ziqubu and I do not have any children.

I cycle socially and my husband Amos Ziqubu is also involved in cycling.

I love cycling because it is a different sporting code from others, unique but exciting.

When I was nine I rode a bike just for fun.

I enjoy watching TV, going to church choir practices and church on Sundays - only if there is no race scheduled for that particular Sunday.

Profile date: October 2009