It’s often been said that the Absa Cape Epic crew is one big family. A family that is made up of some great characters. People who make the vibe of the event what it is. People who put a smile on the riders’ faces no matter how much rain, mud, and climbs they had to contend with on their ride.

Glenda Wolmarans is one of those people. Such an integral part of the family that some see her almost as something of a mother figure. ‘Kleintjie’ (‘Small One’) as she is affectionately known, has been working on the security team for Absa on the race for 12 years.

“I just love coming back every year. You see the same faces year after year and then also new people from all over the world,” she says, explaining how she has gotten to know many of the returning Absa riders over the years.

Like all the crew on the event, the hours are long and hard – for Glenda a ‘normal’ day runs from 5am to 9pm. She does it all on natural energy and keeps fuelling others with her smile. “I’m not much of a coffee person,” she says. “I only have two cups of coffee a day and that keeps me going.”

Like many of the riders, she prefers the cooler days. “When it's hot the days can feel really long,” she says, well aware that those hot days often take their toll on the backmarkers.

“Sometimes when riders have had a tough day they can be a bit grumpy. Shame, you know they’ve had a rough day so you need to have a bit of a thick skin.”

According to Glenda it’s all part of the job and she wouldn’t want it any other way. “The Epic is the highlight of my year. I always look forward to it fondly. It’s lovely, it’s beautiful, it’s exciting and Absa always takes care of me so well.”

The Absa riders love Glenda and her infectious smile. It has become a fixture of the Absa Cape Epic and their experience just wouldn’t be the same without her. In short, Kleintjie embodies the spirit of Africanacity.