South African entrepreneur Jeffrey Mulaudzi, 22, is all about cycling. Based in the township of Alexandra, Johannesburg, his tourism business is a learning experience on two wheels, giving visitors an opportunity to see the local lifestyle and culture up close and personal while on their bicycles.<br /><br /><em>By</em><strong><em> Alex Court </em></strong><em>and</em><strong><em> Marc Hoeferlin</em></strong>
On your bike! Township startup hits high gear with cycling tour —
South African entrepreneur Jeffrey Mulaudzi, 22, is all about cycling. Based in the township of Alexandra, Johannesburg, his tourism business is a learning experience on two wheels, giving visitors an opportunity to see the local lifestyle and culture up close and personal while on their bicycles.

By Alex Court and Marc Hoeferlin
Courtesy: Jeffery Mulaudzi
In 2010, with South African gearing up to host the World Cup, the young entrepreneur took a loan with his mother and got seven bicycles to launch Mulaudzi Alexandra Tours. As well as the tour business, Mulaudzi now also operates a bike hire business called African Public Bicycles.
On your bike! Township startup hits high gear with cycling tour —
In 2010, with South African gearing up to host the World Cup, the young entrepreneur took a loan with his mother and got seven bicycles to launch Mulaudzi Alexandra Tours. As well as the tour business, Mulaudzi now also operates a bike hire business called African Public Bicycles.
Courtesy: Jeffrey Mulaudzi
"There was quite a lot of tourism going through within Johannesburg," Mulaudzi says, recalling the time South Africa welcomed football fans from all over the world -- in 2010, tourism arrivals between January and September jumped by 16.8% compared to the previous year. "I really thought that would work because I saw an opportunity," says Mulaudzi. "I really, really knew it was going to work."
Expansion cycle —
"There was quite a lot of tourism going through within Johannesburg," Mulaudzi says, recalling the time South Africa welcomed football fans from all over the world -- in 2010, tourism arrivals between January and September jumped by 16.8% compared to the previous year. "I really thought that would work because I saw an opportunity," says Mulaudzi. "I really, really knew it was going to work."
Courtesy: Jeffrey Mulaudzi
And it is working. While things started slowly, Mulaudzi has approximately seven clients a week these days. Each participant pays about $27 for a two-hour tour. His goal is to disprove negative stereotypes about his home area and he does that by introducing the participants to local people and chatting with them. "What I like about what I do is that I meet different people," he says. "I love what I do."
Myth-busting —
And it is working. While things started slowly, Mulaudzi has approximately seven clients a week these days. Each participant pays about $27 for a two-hour tour. His goal is to disprove negative stereotypes about his home area and he does that by introducing the participants to local people and chatting with them. "What I like about what I do is that I meet different people," he says. "I love what I do."
MUJAHID SAFODIEN/AFP/Getty Image/
Aspects of everyday life in Alexandra township are highlighted during the tours to give a personal aspect to the experience. Mulaudzi says he wants to get the people he takes on tours to connect with the area.
Everyday life —
Aspects of everyday life in Alexandra township are highlighted during the tours to give a personal aspect to the experience. Mulaudzi says he wants to get the people he takes on tours to connect with the area.
ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images/File
The tours take in a house in the township where anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela lived as a tenant in 1941. When he stayed there, Mandela worked as an articled clerk in an attorneys office whilst studying at the University of South Africa. At the time, he earned £2 a month, of which he paid 13 shillings and four pence for the room.
Historic South Africa —
The tours take in a house in the township where anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela lived as a tenant in 1941. When he stayed there, Mandela worked as an articled clerk in an attorneys office whilst studying at the University of South Africa. At the time, he earned £2 a month, of which he paid 13 shillings and four pence for the room.
ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images/File
As well as foreigners, who visit from places like Holland, Germany, Sweden and China, Mulaudzi also gives tours to South Africans visiting Johannesburg from other provinces. No matter where the tourists are from, Mulaudzi takes time to explain to the bikers what they are seeing and where they are.
Varied visitors —
As well as foreigners, who visit from places like Holland, Germany, Sweden and China, Mulaudzi also gives tours to South Africans visiting Johannesburg from other provinces. No matter where the tourists are from, Mulaudzi takes time to explain to the bikers what they are seeing and where they are.
Courtesy: Jeffrey Mulaudzi
Alexandra township is Mulaudzi's home and where his business is located. Founded in 1912, it is one of South Africa's oldest communities. In 2012 -- the year of the area's centenary -- 470,000 people lived in the area.
Township tourism —
Alexandra township is Mulaudzi's home and where his business is located. Founded in 1912, it is one of South Africa's oldest communities. In 2012 -- the year of the area's centenary -- 470,000 people lived in the area.
ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/GettyImages
The township is densely populated and poor. During apartheid, "Alex" was classified as one of the few urban areas where black people could own land. By 1916, there were 30,000 people living in the area. The township adopted the nickname "Dark City" as it had no street lights like many other places in Johannesburg.
'Dark City' —
The township is densely populated and poor. During apartheid, "Alex" was classified as one of the few urban areas where black people could own land. By 1916, there were 30,000 people living in the area. The township adopted the nickname "Dark City" as it had no street lights like many other places in Johannesburg.
MUJAHID SAFODIEN/AFP/Getty Image
From the streets of Alexandra, residents can see the exclusive Sandton Towers in the distance. The physical space between the two places may not be much, but the two areas are a world apart. Not far from the towers is Sandton City -- one of South Africa's most prestigious shopping centers with chic restaurants and designer fashion boutiques.
Proximate prosperity —
From the streets of Alexandra, residents can see the exclusive Sandton Towers in the distance. The physical space between the two places may not be much, but the two areas are a world apart. Not far from the towers is Sandton City -- one of South Africa's most prestigious shopping centers with chic restaurants and designer fashion boutiques.
MUJAHID SAFODIEN/AFP/Getty Images/File
Mulaudzi's businesses have been recognized outside South Africa. He was a finalist in the 2014 Anzisha Prize -- an accolade which recognizes young entrepreneurs who have started successful businesses in their communities.
Cycling through the 'real' South Africa —
Mulaudzi's businesses have been recognized outside South Africa. He was a finalist in the 2014 Anzisha Prize -- an accolade which recognizes young entrepreneurs who have started successful businesses in their communities.
Courtesy: Jeffrey Mulaud
While Mulaudzi has had issues gathering enough capital to make his business a success, he remains focused on improving his business. His entrepreneurial flair is echoed in his motto: "When you do a good service, everything follows."
Cycling through the 'real' South Africa —
While Mulaudzi has had issues gathering enough capital to make his business a success, he remains focused on improving his business. His entrepreneurial flair is echoed in his motto: "When you do a good service, everything follows."
Courtesy: Jeffrey Mulaudzi