Bikers honour fallen heroes

Close to 1 000 bikers descended on Edenvale when they took part in the annual 9/11 memorial ride.

Organised by Firefighters SA Motorcycle Association (SAEC), the event is hosted on the Sunday closest to September 11 and this year it was held on September 13.

The event is held not only to commemorate the emergency personnel who lost their lives during 9/11, but also to commemorate SA and international emergency personnel who died while responding to emergencies.

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One of the organisers, Jan Liebenberg, said this year’s ride was probably the most attended in the four-year history of the event.
He estimated that between 800 and 1 000 riders participated.

Fellow organiser Elmaré Liebenberg said because of the lockdown and SA Emergency Care moving to new premises, the association had a short period to plan the event.

The wreath-laying ceremony was thus not held in Modderfontein. It was held at SAEC’s new premises at 7 Skietlood Street Isando.
“It was so humbling and overwhelming to see how many bikers and clubs participated in this year’s event,” said Elmaré
“Words cannot explain the emotions I felt on the day.”