Don’t miss out on the epic Light the Fire 2016 charity bike ride
Bikers and motorists are invited to join the Light the Fire charity bike ride on Friday 29 April at midday, an event which promises to be a day of entertainment and biking fun, all while raising money for a worthwhile cause.
Entrance money raised from the mass bike ride – which is open to all bikers and V8 to V12 cars – will be handed over to representatives from the Gamalakhe Community Development Foundation (GCDF) based on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast.
“Light the Fire is about bringing the biking community together for an enjoyable experience all for a good cause,” explained event organiser, Sinethemba Dhlomo of Integrated Concepts. “We decided to choose the Gamalakhe Community Development Foundation as a beneficiary because of the incredible work they are doing in alleviating the poverty in the area through education, skills development and job creation.”
Poverty is prevalent within the Gamalakhe township with estimated 45% unemployment rate for 20 to 30-year-olds and 30% illiteracy rate overall. To tackle this, GCDF is creating economic, recreational, educational and employment opportunities for the youth and unemployed residents which is seeing a meaningful impact on the community.
The foundation has a number of projects currently underway with several planned while awaiting funds. These include establishing an educational institute to assist in bursary attainment and maths and science tuition; the creation of job opportunities through a Gamalakhe Traders’ Village and Hydroponics’ Garden; the establishment of the Gamalakhe Sports and Recreation Association; youth programmes and the development of the Gamalakhe Heritage Committee. The foundation plays a pivotal role within the community, providing conflict resolution and support to those in need.
“We know that our donation to the Gamalakhe Community Development Foundation will go a long way in providing much needed support to the ongoing work that is being done, as well as assisting them in getting these projects off the ground. The more participants involved in the Light the Fire charity ride, the closer the foundation will get to making these worthwhile projects a reality.”
Before the start of the mass bike ride, there will be free bike lessons from 10am to 12pm at KwaMasengeni Taxi Rank, a bike wash and Lucky Draw where entrants will stand a chance to win some great prizes. There will also be lots of activities and entertainment for the children throughout the morning.
The meeting point for the ride is at the South Coast Mall Engen Garage on Friday 29 April at 12pm. All riders and Power Convoy participants will be briefed by well-known biker, Alfred ‘King Donut’ Matamela, who will lead the charity ride, assisted by the Hibiscus Coast Municipality’s metro police, along the route to Gamalakhe TB Molefe Sports’ Ground. Here a formal cheque handover to GCDF will take place. All participants will also get a Light the Fire 2016 Charity Badge to denote their contribution.
This will be followed by an afternoon of entertainment including music by Duncan, Junior de Rocker, DJ Nzwiri, DJ Qhawe and Vero, led by the programme director, Felix Hlope. The programme will also include speakers from Hibiscus Coast Municipality and KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development Tourism and Environmental Affairs. To get in the spirit for Light the Fire, bikers are encouraged to practice their singing as a Bike Anthem Competition will also be held.
Those wanting to participate in the charity ride can donate R100 to Free African Minds – the non-profit organisation collecting funds for the GCDF – all of which will go directly to the foundation during the handover on the day. The donations received by Free African Minds will entitle riders and drivers free entry to the Light the Fire 2016 at Dezzi Raceway on Saturday 30 April.
The following two days will be a spectacular motoring extravaganza with a motorcycle manufacturer exhibition, custom bikes show and shine, spinning and stunt area, drifting, kids’ action zone, motorcycle club village, novice and advanced riding demonstrations, live music and other entertainment all staged at the scenic Dezzi Raceway, Marburg in Port Shepstone.
There will also be amazing spinning, wheelies and stunts by King Donut, Brian Capper, Seipei ‘Biker Queen’ Mashugane and other MCC riders. A much anticipated race is the spectacular showdown of bike vs car with Africa’s fastest brother, Gugu Zulu, behind the wheel of a Backdraft Racing Cobra. There will also be a VIP precinct offering upmarket hospitality for the signature biker lifestyle including cigar and whiskey lounge, photo booth, champagne and sushi bar and prize giveaways.
During the two-day event there will be a number of cash prizes for winners of the best showcase and/or stunt man/woman in a variety of categories:
Motorcycle club with most attendees – R10 000
Best show-and-shine motorbike – R2 500
Best motorbike anthem – R2 500
Best wheelie – 1st place: R5 000; 2nd place: R3 000; 3rd place: R2 000
Best donut – 1st place: R5 000; 2nd place: R3 000; 3rd place: R2 000
To enter the best wheelie or best donut, participants must upload a video by 25 April 2016 of their stunt onto our Facebook page; Light The Fire SA with their biker name and name of motorcycle club. Semi-finalists will then be shortlisted to perform the donut or wheelie at the main event.
Donations for the charity ride can be made to:
Bank: FNB
Account Name: Free African Minds NPC
Account Number 62553758619
Branch Code: 221126
Reference: Club/Rider Name
Fax deposit proof to: 086 609 6684
The second annual Light the Fire biking lifestyle festival takes place on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast from 30 April to 1 May 2016.
Tickets for Light the Fire at Dezzi Raceway are available at Computicket – R80 for general, R50 for pensioners and children under 12 years and R350 for VIP tickets. Limited VIP weekend passes, which include the Rooftop Pool pre-party at Hillbillion Estate on 29 April 2016, are only available from info@thesociallink.net