Spread the love

The 26th anniversary of the Swazi Rally saw bikers from all over southern Africa including countries such as the Republic of South Africa, Eswatini and the Republic of Mozambique assemble at Sidvokodvo Riders’ Ranch. The event was covered by many journalists and the following write up has been presented to us:

The familiar smell of burning rubber and screeching sounds, as performers took to the platform, distinguished this event from all others which are privileged to occur in this beautiful Kingdom of Eswatini.

Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, and the Eswatini Tourism Authority (ETA) were thrilled as thousands of adrenaline-fuelled local and foreign enthusiasts, who cheered all throughout, relished every moment as never before seen stunts took place.

The exotic, out-of-town scenery of the Rider’s Ranch at Sidvokodvo added to the magical event whose charcoal black tar road seemed new and fresh. It is also worthy of mention that the purpose and intention of the event was nothing but the love of biking and motorbikes.

Over the years, we have learnt that the event is more than a hobby but an opportune time to reconnect with oneself, family and friends and perhaps to sort out differences. At this year’s event, families were seen cuddled in groups, moving from stand to stand, marvelling at the variety of motorbikes and cars and other displays.

Many bikers arrived on September 4, a Friday, and immediately pitched up their tents, some with inscriptions of slogans centered on love for humanity and life, with the thousands of bikers and supporters subscribing to the tagline: “Once a biker, always a biker”. I must say honestly that I do not recollect attending a festival where participants were clad in so much leather outfits other than at the Swazi Rally. From the soles of the feet to the plains of their shoulders the bikers were arrayed with such. And it turned out that some retailers from South Africa, Durban, took advantage of this tourism event and brought business. They set-up a leather apparel shop, right at the Ranches’ premises, with very generous prices.

Now about the colours: Every time I sought to take a picture of the back of the jacket, the bikers would instruct each other, in their kind of colloquial language, to ‘show off their colours’. We also discovered that, to bikers, no rally is esteemed over the other as each annual event brings with it something

new and unique to what is previous. Humanitarian effort also could not go unnoticed as attendees broke ground and paid exorbitantly for whatever was on display, including the gear, participation and other souvenirs.

Local businesspeople found that on this day they could make money, from simple skills such as sewing, car washes, traditional gear sales and the sale of other souvenirs, some with Swati- themed decorations. Apparel shops that sold stickers which were sewed on the jackets, with inspirational messages completed the ecosystem of the businesses. On the other hand, Rugged Mate Tattoo, a tattoo parlour from South Africa drew many bikers who had always wanted some ink. Their slogan was: “Get inked or die naked”, which dared most people to tattoos.

The crowd was entertained with good music from local DJ’s. To complement the bikers’ rally there were tyre competitions where both ladies and men participated. The party seemed not to come to an end as people kept rolling in, in convoys of bikes and cars until late in the evening. If you missed this year’s rally, another one is on next year, because the rally is not going anywhere. Until next year, vavavrooom!