Caroline Matsimela’s day job is HR Manager for UK-based e-commerce firm RedCloud Technologies. After hours – like all true superheroes – she slips into her yellow-themed disguise as the driving force behind the Matismela Ladies Clinic, an initiative she started in 2020 with the simple aim of inspiring more women to spend time outdoors.

Matsimela started the clinic, which caters to all levels of riders, with two friends. In four short years it has grown to include six branches in Gauteng, and a membership totalling just over 180 riders. You’ll recognise them on the road and at events around South Africa in their distinctive, bright-yellow cycling gear. 

“I just wanted to help my community.”

“I never imagined the Ladies Clinic would grow into something like this,” she says. “I just wanted to help my community. I had no idea that there was such a massive need for a safe space for women to cycle.” 

The Matsimela Ladies Clinic provides skills sessions for mountain biking and road cycling, training rides and group rides. Members also ‘graduate’ after meeting certain criteria, such as bike control when cornering, completing a 60km ride, riding in cleats, and so on. “We had 17 graduates in our first year,” Matsimela says. “This year, 68 riders will complete the course. In total, there are 184 graduates out there in the cycling world.” 

The ladies in yellow are also starting to make their presence felt at major events, participating in the likes of Berg & Bush and Race to the Sea. At Ride Joburg in 2024, 80 members took part, and 48 completed the 2024 Cape Town Cycle Tour. “We all flew down to Cape Town together – you should have been on that flight!” Matsimela says with a laugh.

At the 2023 Double Century, the Matsimela Ladies team became the first all-black women’s team to complete the race in the history of the event. For 2024, Matsimela Ladies took two teams to the DC. “We had 24 queens on the streets!” she says proudly.

I take my coffee in the morning, with milk and honey.

I’d love to go for a ride – a long ride, touring the world. That’s what I tell my friends. When I retire, I just want to tour the world on a bicycle. 

The secret to happiness is riding a bicycle! It’s nature, the people, just overcoming those obstacles and challenges, especially in mountain biking. I’m still learning when it comes to mountain biking. Every time I go over a bridge I couldn’t cross before, I get a feeling of achievement. 

My greatest exhilaration comes from helping to uplift others. When others win and I’ve been able to contribute, I feel that thrill and fulfilment. 

I fear dying before I’ve achieved my dreams. I’m living my purpose right now, but I still have so much more to do. I fear going too soon, and not achieving everything I want to achieve. 

A moment of pure clarity came when my son was born. I realised that everything I’d do from then on would not be for myself. I feel a huge responsibility to properly fulfil my purpose, so that I’m able to leave a legacy for my boy. 

When I wake up I meditate. 

I rage at motorists who are not accommodating to cyclists and other road users.

I wish I was a little bit taller, I wish I was a baller… Ha ha! – that’s the song, right? No, I wish for good health and well-being. Especially after being injured!

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