Ace cycling brothers Sakkie and Hannes Hanekom (pictured) are once again competing in the ABSA Cape Epic Race which, this year, goes through their Witzenberg Valley, Ceres farm on Sunday, March 13.

 The Hanekoms, growers for Tru-Cape Fruit Marketing, the largest distributor of South African apples and pears, are sponsored by Tru-Cape and Pink Lady® to raise funds for the Tygerberg Hospital Breast Clinic Transport Fund. 

“There is something special about riding with your brother in something as tough as the Absa Cape Epic. This will be our 7th Absa Cape Epic ride together and we are really excited to be riding the 100th stage together through one of our farms as well.” commented Hannes Hanekom.

Sakkie Hanekom added: “I’m very excited to be back in the saddle alongside my brother, for our charity and sponsors Tru-Cape & Pink Lady®. Through their tireless fundraising, Pink Lady® apples add so much value to the lives of people in need that it’s impossible not to be proud to be associated with them!  We will give it everything we’ve got from the start to the last finish line at Meerendal. We are fuelled by the thought that with every pedal stroke and with your help and support, we will be helping someone less fortunate than ourselves to get the necessary transport to the treatment they so desperately need”.

This year the Absa Cape Epic will be hosting their 100th stage in the Witzenberg Valley on a Pink Lady® apple farm. “Pink Lady® and Tru-Cape will be out in full force sharing our congratulations with the Absa Cape Epic team with a very special display at Waterpoint 3.  There will be Pink Lady® dried apple wedges (proudly donated by Cecilia's Farm) samples for all spectators at the Pink Lady® stand. Feel free to pop in to the stand in the parking area at Waterpoint 3 for a taste delight”, says Pink Lady®’s Liza Matthews adding “Pink Lady® will sponsor the team R8 per kilometre they ride. By successfully completing the 800km race the riders will raise an amazing R6 400 for the fund!  

It costs an average of R350 per person to transport cancer patients to the hospital for all their treatments. R6 400 will help 18 women get to the hospital for their regular treatments. Pink Lady® are challenging Sakkie and Hannes to secure a Top 40 finish. If they do this the donation to the fund will be increased to a total of R10 000. The popularity of the event has exploded globally and because of this the field as always is super strong and packed with all the best pro’s and amateurs from around the world. This year the Pink Lady® and Tru-Cape team are setting our sights on having our two apple growers in the top 40! Please come and support our team. We would like to challenge all interested companies to join us in this sponsorship initiative to raise funds for the Tygerberg Hospital Breast Clinic Transport Fund.” she ends.

Tru-Cape’s Marketing Director Conrad Fick says that Tru-Cape’s brand positioning as providing Takeaways from Nature, and a healthy energy boost, fits well with sports activities such  as the Epic. “This, coupled with the fact that Hannes and Sakkie Hanekom are Tru-Cape Ceres growers, is why Tru-Cape sponsors the Epic and a number of Grabouw, Villiersdorp and Langkloof events in areas where our apple and pears are grown”, he says.
Please contact Liza Matthews on 073 147 4725 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to support the team and follow www.Facebook.com/TruCape and @TruCapeFruit on Twitter and Instagram for updates. Also see www.tru-cape.com. #EPIC100