BY NELIWE NGUBANE
MBABANE — The countdown is officially on. In just a day to go, the roar of more than 100 motorcycles is expected to shake up Mbabane as the +268 Motorcycle Club (MCC) brings its inaugural Bikers Rally to the Prince of Wales from September 18 to 20.
Under the theme “S’phusha Ngothando” We Ride With Love, the three-day rally is set to combine motorcycle culture, live entertainment, family activities, camping, tourism and business opportunities, with riders expected from Eswatini and different parts of Southern Africa.
The rally was officially launched at Albert Millin, where Mbabane Mayor Thulani Mkhonto described the event as a significant addition to the capital’s events calendar and an opportunity to showcase the city as a vibrant tourism destination.
“Mbabane opens its arms and its streets to welcome bikers from across the region, transforming our capital into a vibrant hub of energy and excitement,” said Mkhonto.
The Mayor highlighted Mbabane’s mountains, valleys and scenic surroundings as an ideal backdrop for motorcycle enthusiasts, while also pointing to the rally as an opportunity to promote the city’s tourism, culture and entertainment offering.
The event is being hosted by the Mbabane-based +268 MCC in partnership with the Mbabane Municipal Council, which is supporting the rally through areas including public space, parking, camping, permits and safety coordination.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Principal Secretary Simon Zwane also emphasised the importance of collaboration in making the rally possible.
“The Minister believes in partnership as it is the key to many different things. If you want to go fast, go alone, and if you want to go far, go together,” said Zwane.
He described the rally as an example of what can be achieved when government, local authorities, communities and private stakeholders work together, while encouraging the biking community to maintain its spirit of unity.
For +268 MCC, however, the biggest attraction will be the people and machines arriving in Mbabane.
Club President Thabo “The Duke” Magagula said more than 100 bikers are expected at Prince of Wales, with riders travelling from Mozambique, Mpumalanga, Johannesburg, Bloemfontein, Limpopo and Durban, among other areas.
“For the first time, we will have over 100 bikers coming through to the Prince of Wales, specifically for Mbabane, to celebrate the city and give Mbabane residents the opportunity to experience the biking culture,” said Magagula.
He said the gathering will showcase different types of motorcycles, from cruisers and muscle bikes to high-performance machines of various shapes and sizes.
“We do have a beautiful biking community in the Kingdom,” he said, describing the regional response as a reflection of the unity within the biking fraternity.
But the rally will not be running on engines alone.
The entertainment programme is set to bring its own horsepower, with DJ Mbo, Mixmash, Young Zesh, MK Lady Zee, Sgitha, Aya City, Zulu D, MLM, DJ Tshobeni from South Africa and TVNDO from South Africa among the acts lined up for the weekend.
The programme will kick off with a Friday jam session, followed by a Saturday family day featuring a breakfast run, vendor stalls and live entertainment. The rally will conclude with a Sunday send-off, giving visitors and riders an opportunity to close off the weekend together.
Beyond the entertainment, organisers are positioning the rally as an economic and tourism opportunity for Mbabane.
The influx of bikers and visitors is expected to create business for accommodation establishments, restaurants, vendors and local artisans, while giving businesses an opportunity to engage with visitors from across the region.
Vice President Lomkhosi Magagula previously said the event could contribute to the city’s tourism economy by bringing visitors into Mbabane and creating a platform for local vendors and artisans to showcase their products to a wider audience.
The Ministry has also indicated that the success of the rally could demonstrate the potential of similar events to bring economic activity to other towns.
With the launch behind them and only days left before the first engines fire up, +268 MCC is now calling on the Mbabane community, bikers, families and entertainment lovers to be part of the inaugural experience.
For three days, the capital is set to become a meeting point for motorcycle enthusiasts, music lovers, families, businesses and visitors,with the unmistakable roar of engines providing the soundtrack.
As Magagula put it: “I would really, really appreciate the opportunity to share this day with the Mbabane community and residents.”
The countdown is on. Mbabane is ready to ride.
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(Courtesy Pic)
