PICTURE: TIKTOK/ LINDO SONGELWA
At just 19 years old, Lindokuhle ‘Lindo’ Songelwa has embarked on a remarkable journey that is about far more than the kilometres he will cover on his bicycle. For the Cape Town teenager, this ride represents survival, healing, self-discovery and the determination to keep moving forward despite life’s challenges.
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Lindokuhle revealed to BONA that he is currently cycling from Cape Town to his birthplace in the Eastern Cape, with his final destination being Tsilithwa location in Qumbu, where he was born and raised. He hopes to complete the journey before the end of the week.
A journey born from pain and reflection
Speaking about what inspired the trip, he revealed that he has faced many difficult experiences throughout his life — experiences he has largely kept to himself. For Lindokuhle, the journey is not about publicly sharing every painful chapter of his life, but rather about demonstrating resilience and the possibility of moving forward despite hardship.
“I’ve been through some difficult experiences in my life that I don’t usually talk about. I’ve always found it hard to open up to people, so instead of putting everything into words, I decided to express myself through this cycling journey. It’s not about sharing every detail of my past. It’s about showing that it’s possible to keep moving forward even when life has been difficult,” said Lindokuhle.
A near-death experience changed everything
The decision to embark on this journey was intensified by a traumatic experience just a month ago, when Lindokuhle found himself fighting for his life. The experience forced him to confront the challenges he had endured throughout his young life and prompted him to reflect deeply on his future.
“A month ago, I was involved in a fight where I almost lost my life. I had given up on everything, but I now feel privileged to still be alive. It made me realise that I have actually been through a lot. That is why I decided to take this long ride — not to escape life, but to clear my mind, focus on self-growth, step away from current affairs, and focus on my journey,” he said.
From detailing cars to preparing for the ride of a lifetime
Back home in Cape Town, Lindokuhle works as a young detailer, washing and polishing cars for a living. Determined to make his journey possible, he carefully saved money to prepare for the road ahead. He told us that he ensured he had the essentials needed to keep both himself and his bicycle going.
“I saved some money for the road trip for things like accommodation in case I don’t get a place to sleep or arrive late. I bought spare tubes, chain cleaners, lubricant, all-purpose cleaner and Q20. I also bought traffic lights for safety and identification on the road in the morning because I leave every city very early, around 5am to 6am.”
Travelling light but prepared, Lindokuhle packed only the necessities. “I carried a small blanket for when I sleep. In my bag I have three sets of cycling wear to change into, and my deodorant pack for when I bathe and take a fresh ride.”
@lindosongelwaGqebs with a warm welcome.🙏🏾♬ original sound – Mvelorh..🫠
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Overcoming challenges on the road
While the journey has been deeply meaningful, it has also come with significant obstacles. Lindokuhle faced difficult weather conditions while cycling through the Western Cape. At one point, after arriving in Plettenberg Bay, he found himself unable to pay for accommodation and was forced to spend the night outside.
“The challenges I had were the rainy weather on the Western Cape farms. My phone got wet, and I couldn’t charge it.”
In a moment that restored his faith in humanity, a security guard stepped in to help.
“I was helped by the security guard who took me to his guard room to rest for the night.”
The physical challenges of the journey also intensified as he travelled further east. Roadworks along the Garden Route created additional difficulties.
“Another thing, my brakes broke from Jeffreys Bay, so I had to cycle to Port Elizabeth using only one brake, which is not safe. The road is under construction from George to Knysna, so I had to walk kilometres for safety reasons. Sometimes cyclists are not allowed.”
And along South Africa’s coastline, strong winds often forced him to stop cycling altogether.
“The wind blows hard along the coast, so I had to carry my bicycle and walk sometimes.” Despite every setback, he persevered.
“But I made it to the Eastern Cape in five days, and on the sixth day I was in Gqeberha.” Lindo shared with BONA that he will rest in Gqeberha while fixing the back breaks of his bike and start his journey again tomorrow morning.
@lindosongelwaRest day , cycling gear washed will fix brakes later on .♬ original sound – Gunna
‘My life has been like a steep hill’
As he pedals towards home, Lindokuhle says the journey reflects the ups and downs he has experienced throughout his life.
“I realised my life has not been easy. It has been like a steep hill, but also sometimes smooth like a gentle slope.”
The metaphor captures both the hardships and moments of hope that have defined his journey so far.
Cycling towards healing
For Lindokuhle, arriving in Tsilithwa will represent much more than reaching a destination on a map. It will mark the completion of a personal journey of healing, resilience, and self-discovery.
While he may not be ready to share every detail of his struggles, his message remains powerful: no matter how difficult the road becomes, there is always a reason to keep moving forward.
With every kilometre he cycles, Lindokuhle is proving that survival is not just about staying alive — it’s about finding the strength to begin again.
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