Someone backed me; now I pedal forward

I am Asanda Madi, a clinical psychologist, lecturer at the University of Pretoria (UP) and doctoral researcher. I started cycling when I began my PhD, as a way to stay sane, clear my head and have an outlet outside of academia. I also wanted something to look forward to at the end of my doctorate studies – and what better than a physical challenge, right? I soon realised that cycling was also a reminder of something I’ve experienced throughout my life: you don’t always get to the finish line alone. As a student, I experienced my fair share of financial uncertainty. My first year of university was supported by my mother’s community, my undergraduate studies were funded through NSFAS, and my honours and master’s degrees were made possible through a combination of my mother’s contributions, the National Research Foundation and, at times, the unexpected generosity of strangers. Every qualification came with its own share of academic and financial stress. But, every time, someone helped me get to the next step.

On Sunday 22 Novembe...