It is all about solidarity in the biker community
Restrictions, restrictions, restrictions - we have all had it with restrictions.
So when the De La Rey Riders decided it was time to celebrate its 15th anniversary (old-school style), the only other restriction they would suffer, other than the Covid-19 ones, was that attendees had to be 18 years or older.
Elangeni Holiday Resort, just off the N4 near Waterval Boven, offered the perfect setting.
André Botha, founder and still involved with the club, came to Mbombela from Natal where he was a member of Fast Company. He and two other Nelspartans, Johan de Jager and Oelof van Niekerk, then decided to start their own motorcycle club. The first name he considered, Voelfokkol MCC, was rejected by the SA Motorbike Alliance – it was already taken. “The song ‘De La Rey’ by Bok van Blerk was extremely popular at the time, so after much contemplation, it was decided to take it as the name for the club. It was duly registered.”
In the biker community, it is all about brotherhood. “We look out for and support one another wherever and whenever we can. We also support and reach out to our communities through participation in various charities. We have collected and donated food and clothing. De La Rey Riders – although small – has over the last four years donated the most toys to the local toy run initiative, and we are particularly proud of this achievement,” said Andre. “We help and support communities and members, even across clubs, and we do not expect anything in return. It is about service to humanity.”
At the core of these rallies and celebrations are music, fun and games, and, of course, the adult naughtiness and entertainment can be, well, really naughty (and I will leave it at that). Wheelies, donuts and burn-outs are other more smoky and, dare I say, smelly activities.
Load-shedding put a damper on the music and other activities, just a tad, on the Friday night. A more powerful mobile generator was brought in to power sound systems and the rest from Saturday onwards.
“The brotherhood is about authentic communication, acceptance and service while having loads of fun.”
