Calling Cape Town host film preview of new documentary
In an exclusive preview held at Southern Sun’s SunSquare Cape Town Gardens hotel on Friday, 3 March 2023, Calling Cape Town revealed the first exciting scenes from a documentary featuring the Calling Cape Town Extreme Challenge undertaken in support of non-profit organisation, Calling Education.
The Calling Cape Town Extreme Challenge was started by passionate South Africans eager to contribute towards the provision of better education for low-income learners in the country. This swim-bike-run challenge undertaken in support of Calling Education, is a gruelling 24-hour race which includes an 8km Robben Island Crossing swim, a 109km Cape Town Cycle Tour as well as a 50km Three Peaks Challenge Route run.
Stephan May, founder of the Calling Cape Town Extreme Challenge explained the inspiration for the documentary, “Our goal with this documentary is not only to shine a light on the Calling Cape Town Extreme Challenge, but also to amplify the amazing work that so many people are doing in this country. This is a juxtaposition of an extreme sporting event which echoes the incredible challenge of bringing top quality education to as many children as possible. This documentary is about telling that uplifting and inspirational story.”
During his speech at the preview, former Calling Academy school student and Calling Cape Town athlete, Mpilo Ruka, spoke about his personal journey with the organisation and his experience participating in last year’s Extreme Challenge, “Like many children in South Africa, I come from a very humble background. Being given the opportunity to go to Calling Academy was life changing and took a lot of pressure off me during my Matric year because I had mentors and teachers who took a genuine interest in me as a person. They don’t just focus on your academics; they get to know you as a person, support you and help you discover where your talents lie. I have also been able to participate in races like Calling Cape Town which I would never have been able to afford. With their help, I am currently interning at an aviation company and following my dream of becoming a helicopter pilot. Calling Academy empowered me to create a better future for myself.”
The documentary preview evening was made possible by Calling Cape Town’s partnership with Southern Sun as the official hotel partner for athletes participating in this year’s extreme sporting event taking place on Sunday, 12 March 2023.
Southern Sun’s chief executive, Marcel von Aulock commented, “It has been a pleasure to partner with Calling Cape Town this year and we are proud to host the Extreme Challenge athletes at our SunSquare Cape Town Gardens hotel, which is ideally suited to their specific requirements. Equally, we’re thrilled to have hosted the preview of the documentary in support of Calling Education, and we wish the team every success with their impressive efforts.”
The general public can get involved by making a donation to Calling Education through their website. Spectators are invited to cheer on the athletes at the event on March 12 from 13:00 at a supporters’ station positioned at Dead Man's Tree.
