Biker crusades selflessly for a good cause

As the oldest of nine children, his life has always been about rendering support where it is required – whether at home or within the community, and in such a way that it honours the dignity of all those involved. He is the president of the Crusaders Far East Motorcycle Club as well as the regional president for Mpumalanga and Limpopo.

“I have found my home with the Crusaders MC,” said Carlos. “We are a nation of bikers from all walks of life, committed to practise what we preach: respect, love and honour, and giving without ever expecting anything in return. Mbombela is my town – a town where people still care and where support is always available, although asking for it may well often present a challenge, but still!”

The Crusaders MC SA was formed in 2006. They live by their own rules. Their fundamentals are brotherhood, discipline, respect and to help and support where they can without any fanfare. The Crusaders MC SA motto: “See everything, hear everything, and say nothing.” “Although childhood was challenging, as children our lives were carefree and safe. At age 10 I delivered newspapers on a bike. This latter was later replaced by the post office type motorbike. And later still followed a larger and more powerful bike.”

In grade 9 he undertook a solo ride from Pretoria to Pietersburg on a GSX550 – much to the dismay of his parents, of course. “This trip in particular, I think, was where the freedom of the whole riding experience touched my soul and where I became hooked.

“It was the days of Trompie en die Boksombende, Die Swart Kat, green Sunlight soap, of skipping school, attending drag racing and watching movies on large VHS and Beta tapes. It was about six of the best in the principal’s office. We were invincible and we lived authentically. Bikes and 50ccs were constantly modified and pimped to go faster. All of these things enhanced the sense of brotherhood and belonging, even then already, among us laaities. “On my completion of grade 11, my dad gave me his black Kawasaki 1000cc.

In grade 12 I took my uncle Koos’s racing 1000cc for a spin and bought some ground with flesh and blood, but like always we had the smile and memories. “At age 23, fatherhood and Steri-Nappis presented themselves and the first three years of child rearing dictated that all personal interests should be put on hold. “At age three we introduced the little one to biking. One thing lead to another – motorcross, enduros, oval track, sprint racing and eventually back on a KTM 950 Adventure, joining the Crusaders MC.”

Today sons Dylan and Kevin already follow dad’s footsteps in the Crusaders Nation.

Carlos is a dad, successful entrepreneur, biker and humanitarian with old-school values. He speaks and lives from the heart and because of his compassion to serve, he and the Crusaders MC are heavily involved with community and charity work.

Much of this goes unnoticed, though, because, Carlos said, “I believe, and so do the Crusaders, that the right hand should not know what the left hand is doing. We do not seek recognition for the charity work we do. The gratitude we experience within ourselves when we can be of service is rewarding enough.”

He went quiet for a moment. And then after some deep thought and with an emotional undertone, he said: “We live by moral citizenship where walking the talk is fundamental to everything we do. “A wise man once said, ‘If you can help someone, do it. Don’t think about it too much – just do it.’