The well-known David Sejobe (49), widely recognised as “The Bicycle Man”, will be laid to rest at his home village of Mashamba Mukondeni, near Elim, on 7 February.
Sejobe, a security officer at MultiChoice’s Randburg office, rose to national prominence for his extraordinary daily 172 km bicycle commute between his home in Orange Farm and his workplace. His dedication earned him admiration across the country for his discipline, resilience and infectious positivity.
David tragically died on 30 January after being struck by a vehicle in an alleged hit-and-run while cycling to work. News of his death spread rapidly online, prompting a nationwide outpouring of grief, with tributes from ordinary South Africans, cyclists, celebrities and organisations who had followed his journey.
His brother, Mphijo Sejobe, confirmed that David will be buried in his home village. “As a family we are obviously very saddened by his tragic death. He was one family member no one would ignore, a legend and an energetic person who brought warmth into the family. He loved people and he was also very loved,” Mphijo said.
The depth of that love was evident, he added. “When we arrived at his home in Orange Farm, neighbours had gathered in numbers as if it were already a funeral day. When we arrived at his workplace at MultiChoice, it was the same – a huge crowd had gathered there. This goes to show how much he was loved,” he said.
David’s body will be received by the Mashamba Mukondeni community on Friday, 6 February. He will be buried on at his home village on Saturday, 7 February. A memorial service will be held at the MultiChoice offices in Randburg on Friday, 13 February. “As a people's person, we are expecting mourners from across the country and even from abroad. MultiChoice has indicated that there will be guests from overseas,” Mphijo said.
Sejobe was a beacon of joy to many. For nearly a decade, he was a familiar face at his company, known for saluting and waving at motorists and pedestrians with a constant smile. His story and presence made him both a local icon and a national inspiration.
As previously reported, David gained social media fame for his daily 172 km bicycle commute, which helped him stay fit and manage his health. In 2022, his resilience inspired a documentary titled The Bicycle Man and a high-profile cycling journey to Venda in honour of his late father.