Gauteng Cycling Mourns the Loss of Lives, Calls for Safer Roads and Community Action
Gauteng Cycling expresses its profound sadness and extends heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of those who lost their lives in tragic incidents on our roads this past weekend. The cycling community is united in grief, and we stand in solidarity with all who are mourning.
On Friday, we lost David Sejobe, a security guard at MultiChoice and a passionate advocate for bicycles as a practical and dignified mode of transport. David embodied quiet courage and consistency, riding daily from near Lenasia to Randburg—choosing the bicycle not only as a means to earn a living, but as a statement of belief in mobility, health, and responsibility. His life and commitment deserve our deepest respect.
On Sunday, tragedy struck again when Atish Jeevan and Jayesh Madhav were fatally hit while riding their bicycles by a vehicle reportedly driven by intoxicated occupants. The incident occurred on a dual carriageway with a shoulder—an environment where cyclists should reasonably expect a measure of safety. The timing is especially painful, as this same stretch of road is only a few kilometers from where the 2026 South African Road and Time Trial Championships will be held in the coming days. This juxtaposition underscores a sobering truth: our celebration of sport must be matched by an unwavering commitment to safety.
We also mourn the loss of Dr Marc Oliver—a friend, confidant, and guiding presence to many. Marc was an advocate for adventure, exercise, and cycling, and a man who exemplified community through action. His life reminded us that movement is medicine, that connection matters, and that leadership often arrives quietly, with generosity and care.
As the cycling community of Gauteng, we are at a loss for words at this tragic loss of life. Yet grief must not paralyse us. It must move us.
We call on our community—cyclists, families, clubs, and supporters—to actively engage their local councillors, to hold metropolitan authorities to account for the condition, management, and policing of our roads, and to insist that the safety of all road users is treated as a non-negotiable priority. Advocacy cannot be left to a few voices; it must become a shared responsibility.
We further urge our community to support one another in practical ways: through collective reporting of dangerous road behaviour, participation in safety forums, collaboration with law enforcement and municipalities, and continued education around visibility, responsibility, and mutual respect on our roads. These tragedies are not inevitable—they are preventable.
Our thoughts remain with the families and loved ones during this unimaginably difficult time. May they find strength in the knowledge that their loss is shared, and that their loved ones’ legacies will fuel a renewed commitment to action.
