It’s New Bike Day for a Hero of the Eastern Cape
Meet Eastern Cape’s Cycling Superhero: Siphelo Lose.
The one-man lifeline on two wheels – literally!
Not all heroes wear capes… Some ride bikes. In the Chris Hani district in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, where the nearest clinic can be hours away and work schedules leave little room for healthcare, Siphelo Lose has become something of a Marvel-styled hero, putting the welfare of others ahead of himself. He doesn’t wear armour or have any kind of special powers like Iron Man, and he can’t fly like the Silver Surfer. Armed with a bicycle and an unwavering commitment to his community, Siphelo delivers life-saving medication to those who are unable to reach the clinic themselves.
A Calling Born of Necessity
Lose’s journey as a self-appointed medical delivery person began in November 2023, when he noticed that many people in his community were struggling to collect their antiretroviral (ARV) treatment. According to a 2023 Ritshidze report, half of the 1 387 HIV-positive individuals surveyed in the Eastern Cape still find it difficult to access their medication, despite the Central Chronic Medicines Dispensing and Distribution programme, which allows for refills every three to six months at nearby private pharmacies. In the Chris Hani district, about 20% of the 25 300 ARV and chronic medication parcels went uncollected between January and March 2023.
“I realised that many people had great difficulties in getting to the clinic to collect their chronic medication,” Lose says, explaining that many have to work and cannot take the day off, or make it there before 5pm, while others are simply unable to travel (usually walk) the great distances required. Lose, himself unemployed at the time, approached the Philani Clinic and offered to collect and deliver the medication on behalf of those who couldn’t make the trip.
For Lose, this wasn’t just about creating a ‘job’ of sorts it was about using his free time to help prevent people from defaulting on their treatment — a dangerous situation that could lead to the HIV virus becoming transmissible again and weakening the immune system. “Some of the patients are elderly and can’t even take themselves to the clinic,” Lose says, further highlighting the dire need for his service, for which he receives R7 per delivery.
New meaning to ‘new bike day’
Initially, Lose’s deliveries were limited by the constraints of his old bicycle. Aside from pedalling, he often had to walk long distances, fearing both the aggressive dogs that roamed the townships and the “pharas” (criminals) who posed a constant threat. Despite these challenges, Lose persevered.
Recently though, a sponsored eBike from Avalanche Bicycles – an Avalanche MTE – has changed his game. “I can now go so much further and a lot faster,” Lose says. The e-bike features a 500 watt battery and a Vinka rear hub motor with 5 assisted modes and a maximum speed of 32kph. That, along with the 10-speed drivetrain has significantly extended his delivery range, allowing him to reach even the most remote areas, on difficult farm roads and rural tracks. “I can do more!” he adds. The impact of this new mobility cannot be overstated, Lose can now reach people 30 to 40 kilometres away from the clinic.
A typical day
For longer days such as those totally well over 100km, a typical day for Lose begins not unlike that of recreational cyclists – early! He arrives at the clinic in eNkululekwen township at around 08:00 to collect the packages of the list of patients who missed picking up their medication the day before. He then sets out on his Avalanche MTE, navigating the dusty roads of the Chris Hani district to deliver the parcels directly to people’s homes.
Getting the much-needed medicine to people is one thing, but for Lose it is only the beginning. He also dreams of starting a soup kitchen to provide food for those who need it, as well as helping to educate the people in his area about the importance of not taking their medication.
Indeed, one of the most pressing issues Lose faces is the lack of education around HIV and chronic diseases in his community. “We keep losing people,” he says. “I believe that many people would have lived much longer if they had received better education. We need to spend time with individuals at the clinic, talk to them, and educate them about STIs, HIV, TB, and other related issues,” he emphasises. Lose sees education not only as essential to prevent treatment defaults, but also as crucial in stopping the spread of the virus in the first place.
A vision for the future
Looking ahead, Lose hopes to expand his services and continue to make a positive impact in his community. He dreams of a future where no one in his district is forced to default on their treatment due to lack of access or knowledge. “Hopefully my deliveries and talking to people and, somewhere in the future, more formal education will do this. For now I just want to say thank you to Avalanche Bicycles for helping me make a difference.” Lose says.
Luke Lockhart-Ross, Marketing Manager at Avalanche Bicycles, added, “We first heard about Siphelo’s story via social media and an article on Bhekisisa and we were amazed at his selfless acts. Donating an Avalanche MTE is just our small way of helping him to help others. He’s nothing short of a hero!” Lose’s story is a powerful reminder of the difference one person can make, especially when equipped with the right tools. His new bike has given him the ability to reach more people and save more lives, but it is his compassion and dedication that truly drive his mission. //