Bike fest on the road to Margate
2018 line-up features plenty of action
REVVING and raving. That’s what Margate will be all about from April 27 to 30 when the South Coast Bike Fest comes to town and biking enthusiasts are expected to flock there from near and far.
Extreme stunt biker King Donut, all the way from Limpopo, will have everyone on edge on every day of the event except the first and the last, performing his daredevil moves on a Yamaha R1 and a MT10.
Taking over the limelight from him on the final day will be Piwe Zulu, riding at the SCBF2018 Powasol EnduroX, on April 30, at the Village Fishing Pier.
Also on show with King Donut, whose real name is Alfred Matamela and Zulu, a local from Gamalakhe, outside of Port Shepstone, will be Max Rabalago who chairs of the Rainbow Mzansi Bikers Organisation (Rambo).
In the midst of their revving the three will highlight the achievement of black bikers who are up-and-coming icons in the fast-growing black biking fraternity. Then there’s the raving. Legendary DJ Michael Zuma, performing at the Shisa Hookah Lounge & Cocktail Bar on April 28 from 8pm, will be among the vibrant musical line-up.
There’s also “Big Dawg”, DJ Fresh, at Senzi on Faya from 11.30pm. That same evening, the Sky Bar at Desroche Hotel features a line-up including DJ Bruce, DJ LeSoul, Felix Hlope, FlyMotion and Babes Wodumo.
Behind their revving and high-thrill activities, who are these bikers who will be strutting their stuff ?
Matamela – aka King Donut – comes from humble beginnings. He started his life herding cattle in the Tshiheni Village in Limpopo. Those days now long in the past, he is showing what tenacity and a passion for motorcycles can achieve.
When he hit the bright lights of Gauteng, Matamela founded the successful Soweto Motorbike School, where he instructs upcoming riders.
“These festivals are important to the biking community, which was previously associated with gangs,” said Matamela, who is also the brand ambassador of Yamaha SA and will be in action on April 28 and 29 at 11.30am.
“The festivals rid us of this stigma and show we are a close community. They also give us a chance to show off our skills. Excellence has no skin colour.”
Rabalago, who will hit the seaside town on his Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle, started his love affair with the festival when Harley-Davidson invited his company there to showcase their bikes.
His club, Rambo, represents the interests of many motorcycle clubs, primarily consisting of black bikers, in Gauteng, the Free State and North West.
Rabalago appreciates the atmosphere and the fact that during the Bike Fest the individuals and companies are afforded an opportunity to rub shoulders outside the scope of their normal work duties.
“This is what brings dignity to the festival,” he added.
Rabalago said the black biking fraternity was growing extremely fast.
“It’s bringing people from different walks of life together, also affording previously disadvantaged people an opportunity to participate in and be exposed to the festivities which will, in turn, bring spin-offs in terms of business and tourism opportunities.”
Zulu has competed in the Matat2Pont, South Coast Xtreme Enduro and Powasol EnduroX in Pietermaritzburg, and the Liquorland Nationals and the Roof of Africa in Lesotho.
“Biking is slowly growing – I’m seeing more and more black competitors at events,” said Zulu.
“These festivals are important, as we get big love and support from the spectators.”
All bikers and pillions are urged to pre-register online for #freefunseeker tickets, which gives free access to the entire event precinct, including the main stage featuring all the headline artist performances.
All non-biking pedestrians will be charged R60 a day. For another R150, #fuelyourfun ticket holders can access the Budweiser Main Beach Stage Golden Circle. See www.southcoastbikefest.co.za