Lipstick - Webflow

FUN NEW issueJanuary 2020

informed • empowered • fearless

www.heelsandhorsepowermag.com

Lipstick vs Dipstick

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March 2020 • Edition 1FREE Download

Ndiyintombi yomXhosa but I ride motorbikes

MINI COOPER JCW

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This months’dashboard

DRIVING IN HEELS

08 MOTORING NEWS

• 2020 AutoTrader Car of the the Year Semi-Finalists

10 CAR ON THE COVER

• Maximizing the New Mini Cooper JCW

14 NEW ON THE TARMAC

• Toyota Quantum VX, Datsun Go CVT, Isuzu D-Max,

Peugeot 5008, Mazda2 Facelift, Hyundai i30 N

18 GOING GREEN

• Illuminating the world of electric cars

20 BIKING IN HEELS

• Learning how to ride a motorbike

• Ndiyintombi yomXhosa, but I also ride motorcycles

24 GAL MEETS BIKE

• Suzuki Katana, Triumph Rocket 3,

Honda CRF 1100 L - Africa Twin, BMW S 1000 RR

GALS GARAGE

26 VUYI’S GLOVEBOX

• Favourite glovebox gadgets

28 VEHICLE MAINTENANCE

• Lipstick vs Dipstick

30 VEHICLE SAFETY

• Tyres: the know how about your treads

32 VEHICLE FINANCE

• Adulting 101: Buying your first car

34 VEHICLE INSURANCE

• Are you covered?

36 DRIVER HEALTH

• How well can you really see?

38 FAMILY

• ISOFIX fittings: What are they?

• Choosing childrens transport

10 20 4228 51Mini Cooper JCW - It is love at first sight

Learning how to ride a motorbike

Tama Mtonga

Lipstick vs Dipstick

Road trip: Taking the long route to Coffee Bay

PROFILE

42 WOMAN AT THE WHEEL

• Tama Mtonga

44 LIFESTYLE

• The text that changed my life

• The ABC’s of BAC levels

• Yes ladies, we do love our cars more than you

51 TRAVEL

• Road trip: Taking the long route to Coffee Bay

.

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The

Driver's seatToday marks the birth of a five-year vision; a vision

to create the most stylish, entertaining, informative

and easy-to-read motoring lifestyle magazine

the world has ever seen.

he process hasn’t been easy and I admit that I was afraid to get started. I kept asking myself a question which I know many people ask themselves about deferred projects and dreams, being: “What if I fail?”

5-years later I eventually answered myself – “What if I succeed?”

Heels & Horsepower magazine has been designed for you, the millions of people from all walks of life who spend hundreds of hours sitting in mobile metal boxes next to millions of other strangers also sitting in mobile metallic boxes. Everyone on the road is a father, mother, sister, brother, son, daughter, colleague and friend; and everyone has similar fears relating to accidents, how best to buy/sell a car, teenage drivers, insurance claims not, road rage or being ripped off at the repair shop among countless things.

This publication aims to shed light on:• What newly released cars have to offer potential customers• How to cost-effectively go about maintaining/repairing your car• How to improve your driving skills and prevent accidents• The naked truth about vehicle finance and insurance• Basic yet life-saving road and car safety information• The latest traffic laws are and how they affect us• The exhilarating world of bikers and motorcycles

As I sifted through the vast content I had accumulated and begun drafting the different sections of the magazine, its lifestyle element unfolded in the form of real-life stories from people living through various motoring-related nightmares. These ranged from the aftermath of car hijackings, dodgy vehicle repair work & insurance fraud to heart-wrenching accounts about accidents and serious injuries – immediately setting this publication apart from all others.

In short, Heels & Horsepower serves to inform and empower motorists and it is my sincere hope that the accurate motoring

intelligence shared through my audacious vision will inspire road users to make savvy lifestyle decisions about all things motoring related.

Someone coined the phrase “If your vision doesn’t scare you, its not big enough” which I subscribed to the longest time until I remembered the words of a man who scarified 27-years of his life to make it possible for me, to have a career as a motoring journalist: “It always seems impossible until its done”.

Speaking of sacrifice I’d like to use this introductory note to express gratitude to my own incredible family who have supported me through this and other endeavors; my extremely patient and talented team who worked tireless through all my design and copy changes; to my contributors for lending their expertise; to the all the men and women who have attended the Fantastic Fathers and Gals Garage events over the years and of course to everyone in the motoring industry who has played a role in for nurturing me over the years.

Lastly, a bit thank you for subscribing to Heels & Horsepower Magazine.

Buckle up and enjoy the ride!

EDITOR

Vuyi Mpofu

DESIGN

Anilda Van Eeden

PHOTOGRAPHER (Cover)

Mpho Tshabalala

WEBSITE

Auto Mechanico Pty LTD

ADVERTISING • SALES

Sitho Nkabini

PROOF READER

Lungelo Makatini

WRITERS

The Shoe Lady

Vuyi Mpofu

Thembela Moyo

Andrew Jones

CONTRIBUTORS

Bongiwe Didiza

Thembela Moyo

Songo Didiza

WesBank

Automobile Association SA

GUEST WRITER

Andrew Jones

DISCLAIMER: The publisher, editor and the H&H team give no warranties, guarantee or assurance or services advertised within this edition. Copyrights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written consent from the H&H team. The editor, contributors and H&H are not responsible for any unsolicited material.

CONTACT US:[email protected]

IMAGES:Thank you to BMW SA, Motor Press, Quickpic and www.pexels.com

@heelsandhorsepowermag

@HeelsHorsepower

Heels & Horsepower Mag

T

TEAM

LIVE ON92.3-96.2MHz FM • DSTV Channel 918

104-107MHz FM • DSTV Channel 814LIVE“Nyathel’ Umcephe nge Style” (Change Gears in Style) every Friday

morning at 10:30am for the weekly Driving In Heels motoring

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Tune into SAfm every Friday

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The Pitch’ with Lizette Khan

BONGIWE

DIDIZANyathel

’ Umcephe nge S

tyle

MPOFU

South Africa’s premiere motoring journalists have voted. So too have members of

the public. The votes have been tallied and 25 semi-finalists have been announced

for the 2020 AutoTrader South African Car of the Year competition.

informed • empowered • fearless8

Press release courtesy of:SAGMJ

ne of these semi-finalists will win the most soughtafter title in the South African automotive industry, that of 2020 AutoTrader South African Car of the Year.

“The 25 vehicles hail from 16 different car manufacturers, and they include anything and everything from family runabouts to sports cars, and from luxurious sports utility vehicles (SUVs) to bakkies,” reveals Rubin van Niekerk, chairman of the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists (SAGMJ).

Some of the vehicles on the list have already won major international accolades. The Jaguar I-Pace, for instance, made history when it won an unprecedented three awards: World Car of the Year, World Green Car and World Car Design of the Year at the 2019 World Car Awards. “Were it to win the 2020 AutoTrader South African Car of the Year title, it would be the first electric car to take top honours in the 34 year old competition,” notes AutoTrader CEO, George Mienie.

The Mazda 3 has recently been named Supreme Winner at the 2019 Women’s World Car of the

Year Awards. It also scooped the 2019 Thailand Car of the Year and the 2020 China Car of the Year trophies, while the Toyota Corolla has recently been named a 2020 European Car of the Year finalist.

AutoTrader became the title sponsor for the competition, organised by the SAGMJ, in 2019 and it has facilitated the successful consumer vote.

According to Mienie, public interest in the competition is intense. “This year, the number of public votes by Auto Trader’s car buying consumers has more than doubled. This is a clear indication that South Africans want to have their say in these top motoring awards,” he comments.

And which vehicle did they vote for? “Of all the semi-finalists, the car that received the most public votes was the Mazda 3,” Mienie reveals.

Now that the semi-finalists have been named, voting for the finalists will commence for the first time in the competition’s history, consumers will be able to vote alongside motoring experts.

9informed • empowered • fearless

A special event in Johannesburg on December 4 will reveal which cars make up the 14 finalists.This event will be followed by the test days in March 2020, when 27 of South Africa’s top motoring journalists (our Editor, Vuyi Mpofu being among them) will put the vehicles through their paces. According to Van Niekerk, this is one of the most important components of the competition. “In most competitions around the world, journalists don’t get together to physically drive the vehicles. They simply score them electronically or on paper. In South Africa however, journalists spend two full days evaluating every single aspect of each finalist from design, technology and engineering to handling, safety and value for money; followed by the final scoring. Our methodology is both thorough and extremely scientific, and yields the

most deserving category and overall winners,” he added.

Commenting on the list of Finalists, Vuyi said she was delighted to see the Mahindra in the running, adding that the brand had worked hard to establish itself in the market, “Making it onto the list is not only a huge vote of confidence for Mahindra, but also a clear demonstration that even though South Africans are extremely particular about the brands they drive, they are fair and open to acknowledging vehicles which are not ‘main-stream’.

The category and overall winners will be announced at an event hosted by AutoTrader in April 2020. Herewith a list of the 2020 AutoTrader South African Car of the Year semi-finalists:

Audi A1Audi Q3BMW 3 SeriesBMW 8 SeriesBMW X5Citroën C3 AircrossFord RangerFord Ranger RaptorHyundai AtosHyundai Santa FeJaguar I-PACEKia SportageMahindra XUV300Mazda 3Mercedes-AMG CLS 53Mercedes-Benz A-Class SedanMercedes-Benz GLEMitsubishi TritonPeugeot 5008Subaru ForesterSuzuki Swift SportToyota Corolla HatchToyota RAV4Toyota SupraVolkswagen T-Cross

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I had been tormented by the question of which car to feature on the first ever cover of this publication even through there were many to choose from. It needed to by something fun, sexy, dynamic with a powerful presence, but when I received my invitation to attend the launch of the latest MINI John Cooper Works Clubman and Countryman models to South Africa it was a wrap; problem solved. Not, only did the new MINI models meet all my Car on the Cover criteria, these siblings were the most powerful derivatives in the brand’s sixty year history.

Plus, it didn’t hurt that MINI is one of my all time favourite compact vehicles.

Over the years, MINI has mastered the market on nostalgia, then continuously added modern design twists to each new generation and the latest John Cooper Works models are proof of just that. With short overhands, big scowling face and roundish headlights, the new JCW Clubman and Countryman are undeniable relatives of every MINI produced, since the 1950s.

With each new generation, the MINI gets

more maxi but somehow manages to retain

its fire cracker status.

Written by:Vuyi Mpofu

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Flowing through the long meandering curves and frequent sharp bends, the JCW Countryman’s, low-ride height, sharp handling and breathtaking burble worked in unison to deliver good ride quality and make each acceleration an immensely joyful occasion.

Like everything BMW-related, the John Cooper Works range of vehicles are happiest when showing off their powerfully raucous attitude so naturally, I knocked the gear shifter into Manual mode and the Countryman roared back in mutual glee. But of course, using the paddle-shifters is much more fun so, with Sport mode in play I made a commitment to the right pedal and was rewarded with 250Kw and 450Nm of tyre-frying vivacity.

Propelled by the concentrated power of it extraordinarily powerful 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder engine, with MINI TwinPower turbo, the John Cooper Works Countryman delivered an

emotionally charged driving experience, sprinting from 0-100km/hr in 5.1 seconds. Even though the previous generation also gave an extreme driving sensation, the model has elevated that to a new dimension of pure, unadulterated fun. That said, it must be noted that for the first time with MINI vehicles, the maximum speed has been electronically limited to 250 km/h.

As the power source for extreme driving fun, I soon discovered that the new MINI John Cooper Works Countryman features DSC (Dynamic Stability Control), which I came to appreciate for its ability to regulate the vehicle’s driving dynamics on loose terrain, and when taking bends with a sporty driving style.

Also, the sport brake system has also been redesigned – another useful feature I called upon when a dedicated member of the traffic department leapt out from behind a cover of shrubs to ‘greet’ me.

Much as I enjoy the new model MINI John Cooper Works Countryman, it isn’t cheap. To afford one, you’d need to have a full-time job, lucrative side hustle and a wishful bank manager who enjoys watching you walk out of the door.

STARTING PRICE: MINI John Cooper Works Clubman R773 140.00

At first glance:The new MINI John Cooper Works Clubman and MINI John Cooper Works Countryman

• New 4-cylinder engine with MINI TwinPower Turbo technology • New 8-speed Steptronic sports transmission with integrated mechanical differential lock for the front wheel• New bigger John Cooper Works sport brake system• New LED headlights with Matrix high beam

function and LED rear lights in Union Jack design in the new MINI John Cooper Works Clubman• 225 kW of power and 450 Nm of Torque• New exhaust system with remarkable sound development• MINI ALL4 all-wheel drive as standard• Model-specific chassis design and coordination

informed • empowered • fearless12 13informed • empowered • fearless

Fantastic Look

8 out of 10

WHAT I LOVE

Fantastic looksComfy sports seats

Perky 2.0-Litre enginePaddleshifts which don’t compromise

performance when in use

Price. Yikes!

WHAT I DON’TAs soon as I settled into the cockpit, I set about letting the MINI JCW Countryman off its leash. Ignition engaged, the little giant slayer greeted me with a suggestive, gravelly exhaust note and it was love at first rev. Whoever had driven the Countryman previously had set the mood lighting to neon pink so when the car came alive the entire cabin lit up like an 80s disco ball causing me to blink a couple of times.

Armed to the roof lining with the latest tech and bling without being impractical. The toggle switches for ignition, drive modes and stability control are located under the centre stack for safe and easy reach by the driver. An LED ring surrounding the 6.5” touchscreen interface, illuminates in response to drive mode selection and engine speed. The integrated Connected

Media equipment is able to access numerous MINI Connected online services, including Real Time Traffic Information.

Navigating the beautifully twisty roads of Mpumalanga it felt like I was in a remake of The Italian Job as the not-so-diminutive Countryman gobbled up the tarmac. As I built up speed I was thankful for the Heads Up Display (HUD) because there was no ways I was going to look anywhere but straight ahead. Unsurprisingly, the new John Cooper Works Countryman is very stable, without an inkling of a twitch to is nose. With foot pinned to the floor, my body relaxed into the ride although my adrenaline levels had spiked considerably and my attentiveness was sharper than usual.

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Anilda van Eeden attended the launch of the new Automatic CVT (continuous variable transmission) versions of the Datsun GO and GO+ which now have improved power and fuel economy.

The new Datsun Do models are equipped with a three-cylinder engine which delivers 57kW of power (7kW more than in the manual) and 104Nm of torque. They also come with dual airbags, ABS with EBD and BA, reverse parking sensors, follow-me-home headlamps, front and rear power windows, battery saving features, remote key, power steering and 14” machined Alloy wheels. The vehicles are available in a range of exciting colours including Red, Silver, Grey, White, Orange and the new colour Vivid Blue (additionally we have Sandstone Brown for GO+).

Anilda’s most memorable impressions are: LIKES • USB port • LCD touch screen• Apple/Android interface• 2 cup holders in front of handbrake area• Very fuel efficient (around 5L per 100km)

DISLIKES • Lack of quick acceleration e.g. to overtake a truck • Petrol gauge is small and not that visible• Seat belts don’t adjust up or down• The boot only opens with a key, and there is no door handle on the boot door either• Using the handbrake is a must even when the car is in Park as it does not hold a dead stop but continues to run either back/forward for a few centimetres.

Signalling new territory for the Toyota Quantum

range, the Quantum VX enters the

luxury-people-carrier arena with an impressive

array of luxury and comfort features.

It features 17” alloy wheels, a large chrome-finished radiator grille, chrome exterior door handles and power adjustable, auto-retracting mirrors, with blind spot monitoring functionality.

The 9-seater Quantum VX provides a limousine-like degree of cabin comfort for up to eight passengers, including a large captain’s chair, independent rear climate control and multiple USB ports, quilted leather upholstery, power-adjustment for the backrest and a fold out “ottoman” leg-rest. Other features consist of an array of driver assistance features as part of the Toyota Safety Sense suite.

These include Pre-Collision Safety system (PCS) with pedestrian detection (day and night) and cyclist detection (day only); high-speed active cruise control; lane departure alert; road sign assist; as well as a 4.2” multi-information display, rain-sensing wipers, LED room lamps, tilt and telescopic steering adjustment, power windows and rear sunshade, to mention a few.

Powering the Quantum VX is a 6-speed automatic transmission linked to Toyota’s proven four-cylinder 2.8 GD-6 turbodiesel engine, with outputs of 115kW and 420Nm.

Starting at: R843 600 Starting at: R184 200


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on theNew

Sitho Nkabini attended the launch of the new Isuzu D-MAX range which now boasts five new automatic models.

Headlining the expanded product portfolio is the eye-catching, lifestyle-oriented Isuzu D-MAX 250 X-Rider which is equipped with a 100kW and 320Nm engine.

The X-Rider’s bold design cues include a black finish on the front bumper and radiator grille which is complemented by an assertive red Isuzu badge placed up front. Projector-style headlamps with integrated LED daytime running lights give the X-Rider real on-road presence.

The automatic model is claimed to have a combined cycle fuel consumption of 8.1 l/100 km, (dependent on driving style).

Sitho’s standout highlights include: LIKES • Easy and dignified vehicle entry and exit • Responsive driver aides • Sufficient create comforts such as cupholders

“I had never driven a bakkie before because of the misbelief that they are big, cumbersome and uncomfortable” she said. “That said, the Isuzu D-MAX has dispelled all those myths; so much so that I would buy one for my mum!

Starting at: R403 200

TOYOTA Quantum VX

DATSUN GO CVT ISUZU D-Max

Written by:The Shoe Lady

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16 informed • empowered • fearless 17informed • empowered • fearless

With a very capable 1.5L petrol engine in both manual and automatic transmissions, the G-Generation Mazda2 range consists of six derivatives made up of the Active (Entry spec), Dynamic (Mid spec) and Individual and Hazumi (High spec) grade levels.

Comfort and convenience on board have been improved through the availability of the Bluetooth hands-free system across the range, from the Dynamic model; an auto- dimming rear view mirror, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), for smoother vehicle movements and handling.

An expanded range of advanced safety features now includes LED headlamps fitted as standard across the model range. Side and curtain airbags, auto dimming rear-view mirror from the Dynamic model. Auto fold mirrors, reverse camera, rear parking sensors from the Individual model and Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Hazumi.


Featuring a new, more sophisticated

design, new Skyactiv-Technologies and

enhanced i-Activsense safety features,

an upgraded version of the popular

hatchback, the Mazda2, is now available.

Hyundai’s first mass-produced high

performance car which has been

lavished has arrived in South Africa.

Featuring a raised ride height, it’s striking front includes a prominent chrome grille with decorative chrome inserts, signature headlamps with LED daytime running lights, slanted rear windows and a three-claw LED lights, integrated into the rear black panel.

Offering an exceptional on-board experience for occupants and a myriad of smart features for additional driving ease, the Peugeot 5008 boasts a compact steering wheel, an 8” touchscreen, and a 12.3” high-resolution digital head-up instrument. Seven central satin chrome dashboard switches offer quick access to functions such as: Radio, Air Conditioning, Satellite Navigation, vehicle settings, telephone, apps, and hazard warning lights.

Ideal for families, the 5008’s has an innovative seating configuration - three matching, separate, folding and tilting seats in the second row and two removable, separate, folding seats in the third row; as well as a practical hands-free smart electric tailgate.

The Peugeot 5008 is available in two petrol engines - 1.6L THP 121kW six speed automatic and 2.0L HDI 110kW six-speed automatic.


The all-new PEUGEOT 5008 breaks new ground as a large seven-seater SUV.

The performance hatchback has been developed on three “cornerstones” under the theme “Fun to Drive”. These are Cornering, Race-track Capability and Everyday Sports Car”.

While it is based on the i30 five-door, the i30 N boasts its own unique design. It shimmers with the blue colouring synonymous with Hyundai Motorsports race cars, has stylish 19-inch wheels with 235/35R19 Pirelli P-Zero highperformance tyres and red brake callipers featuring the N-logo.

Aggressive bumpers, an aerodynamic rear spoiler with a triangular brake light, and a dual muffler exhaust complete the sleek, sporty look The i30 N has five drive modes: Eco, Normal, Sport, N and N Custom.

Each mode changes the car’s character, adjusting the high-performance parameters of the vehicle, including its engine and rev matching.

It boasts a top speed of 250 km/h and goes from 0-100 km/h in just 6.1 seconds, thanks to the powerful T-GDi engine, generating 202kW and 353Nm of torque.


MAZDA2 Facelif t Hyundai i30N

PEUGEOT 5008

EDITORS’

PICK


Illuminatingthe world of vehicleselectric

The electric car industry is growing rapidly not just globally but

in South Africa as well. Few motorists however, have a clear

understanding of what they are and how they work and whilst there

are different types of electric vehicles (fully electric, hybrid and plug in

hybrid), in this article Songo Didiza, turns the spotlight on the

world of fully electric vehicles.

Nissan Leaf Jaguar I-Pace

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Just when you thought you’d gotten the basics of how a car engine works the world introduced electric vehicles, completely annihilating everything you’d worked so hard to understand about conventional engines.

As the name suggests, the term electric vehicle (EV) refers to a vehicle that uses electric motors to power it. They are arguably the most environmentally friendly modes of transport available on the market as they do not produce tailpipe emissions. Unlike conventional combus-tion engines which generate power by burning a combination of fuel (petrol or diesel) and gases, electric cars are billed as one of the primary solu-tions to the world’s carbon emissions crisis.

The main components within a fully electric vehicle are a rechargeable battery, a controller and an electric motor.

How it Works: When the battery is powered, the controller converts the electric current from DC-AC so that it can be used by the motor. The motor (connected to the battery) converts the electrical energy to mechanical energy thereby providing power for the vehicle to move as well as operate other features such as lights, air con, radio, GPS and all other related components.

Pros:• Rapidly improving technology to increase driving range and decrease charging time• Generally offer more passenger space or storage space due to lack of engine• Release fewer pollutants into the air making them green/earth friendly• Generally offer a smoother ride quality due to the absence of a gear transmission box• Cheaper to maintain as they have fewer moving parts in the ‘engine’

Written by:Songo Didiza


BMW i3 Mercedes-Benz EQC

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Cons: • Considered ‘luxury’ vehicles and therefore do not attract tax exemptions• Currently more expensive than a conventional car• Limited driving range compared to cars with combustion engines• Limited number of charging stations compared to availability of fuel stations• Charging a vehicle at home or overnight can prove expensive• Charging time is longer than filling the tank of a conventional car• The electricity required to charge the vehicles does not necessarily come from a green source• Battery life and their disposal is still a major concern

ARE EVS SAFE?Fortunately, electric vehicles are held to the same high standards of safety as are conventional cars and many attain high / 5 star ratings however, EVs are incredibly quiet and create very little tyre or wind noise.

We like to call them the ‘creep-up’ car because they are so silent you can creep up to your home without anyone knowing you had been out longer than usual! But, and there is always a but isn’t there, because they are super quiet, electric vehicles pose a danger to pedestrians, cyclists and other road users who will not hear them, especially if they are distracted. That said, manufacturers are tackling the problem by exploring the possibility of including noise generators to act as a warning of the cars presence.

There are only three fully electric vehicles available in South Africa at the moment being the Nissan Leaf, Jaguar I-Pace and BMW i3 and it is

anticipated that Mercedes Benz will launch their EQC in 2020. Other manufacturers have entered the green transport space globally but have yet to launch their products into the local market.

It was hoped that Tesla CEO, Elon Musk Tesla would launch the Tesla Model 3 locally but those hopes where shattered in August 2019 when he tweeted that “import duties are extremely high, even for electric vehicles.” To put his tweet into perspective, electric vehicles attract a ridiculously high import duty of 25% whereas only 18% is charged for combustion engine vehicles and when considering that normal imported vehicles with an engine capacity of under one litre attract no duties at all, one can only wonder why our government isn’t being more accommodating of green vehicles. Coupled with the fact that South Africa is one of the biggest offenders when it comes to carbon emissions (80% of our electricity is generated from the coal industry), one would think that the powers that be would use EVs as a PR tool for rebranding Mzansi.

On the bright side however, the number of charging stations in the country is increasing and to date there are about 180 in total. Granted, these are largely between Johannesburg and Cape Town, but thanks to Jaguar’s investment of R30 billion more stations have been erected in Bloemfontein, East London, Port Elizabeth, Durban, Pretoria and Johannesburg. With these additional ports, South Africa’s charging station network is definitely growing, but for a country in which people travel hundreds of kilometres one way more stations would be needed to make EVs viable for the majority of motorists reading this article.


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I must have been about 9 years old when I first got close enough to a motorcycle to be able to touch it. My uncle Mo had rolled up the driveway on an incredibly loud piece of machinery with a grin on his face only rivalled by the one he had whenever there was a beer in his hand. With great aplomb he had dismounted his iron horse and handed me his helmet.

Fascinated but nervous, I remember slowly approaching the motorbike and studying it from headlamp to glistening tailpipe, before making a solemn promise to myself that I would one day command such a beast. Fast forward a decade or two (or three, who’s counting?!) and I have finally fulfilled my childhood promise.

For women from a conservative up bringing the idea of taking up on two wheels is most often interpreted as a form of rebellion. Women are not quite expected to do that sort of thing. Instead, we are moulded into soft spoken care givers whose lives are dedicated to the tireless service of others, not straddling a hulk of metal, wearing tight leathers!

Some readers may argue that times have changed and indeed they have, however culture and attitudes still remain unphased. In my view, this is one of the biggest reasons why many women may wish to, but dare not learn how to ride. Incidentally, the same highly raised eyebrows remain decisively in place when a woman rides pillion. Perhaps holding onto a man for dear life, with one’s bosom pressed firmly against his back is what some understand as what’s meant by the saying “behind every man is a woman”.

Learning how to ride a motorbike

heelsinBikingGone are the days when bikers were predominantly male, an

increasing number of women have steadily entered this space.

Vuyi shares why she too has pulled on a helmet an how her two

wheeled journey began.

Image: Mpho Tshabalala

For what it’s worth, I am neither rebellious nor am I riding pillion. I’m just determined to try my hand at everything life has to offer, and recently Honda SA graciously presented me with a sponsored, brand new metallic blue NC750 X to help me along my biking journey.

My 8 valve, 2 cylinder, 40.2kW, 6 speed motorcycle has a large colour LED screen to display vital info and 22l of storage space. At just over 800mm from the ground it’s perfect for my 1.57cm height and being an auto machine means I won’t have to worry about accidentally shifting into the wrong gear but instead allow me to focus on perfecting basic riding skills such as stopping without wobbling and accelerating from intersections without stalling the engine!

Most importantly, it will allow me to concentrate on safely navigating amidst motorists who unexpectedly change lanes or drive distracted. My 2020 includes many adventures and happy memories but in order to live long enough to share those with you I urge all motorists to watch out for bikers. We are people too and our loved ones expect us to get back home just as yours do.

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Vuyi rides a sponsored Honda NC750X DCT and shares her experiences on social media.

@Bikinginheels

@Bikinginheels

www.bikinginheels.co.za

Biking In Heels

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had been given the 2019 Honda CRF Africa Twin 1000L DCT for the December holidays and had already ridden it over 2600km from Johannesburg to Coffee Bay, Eastern Cape. This time, I was on my way to a traditional wedding celebration in Qwaqwa/Phuthaditjhaba, 295km away. Straddling the 1.4m tall, 2.3m long adventure Africa Twin I was confident that its wheelbase of 1.5m, turning radius of 2.5m and overall handling capabilities would hold me in good stead when I got to the twists and turns along the route.

Halfway to my destination, and with a few litres left in the adventure bike’s 18.7 litre tank I rode into a filling station and was greeted by a boisterious attendant. “Hey! My man,” he sang.

I took off my helmet, smiled and said, “fill it up, please papa.”

The attendant’s huge grin was instantly replaced by a look of utter shock. His step faltered and he gazed at me in amazement as he slow motioned to the fuel pump.

“Eish, sorry my sister,” he muttered.As he replenished the tank, still looking mesmerised, he asked where I was travelling from and where I was headed to.

“From Jozi and I am on my way to Qwaqwa,” I said cheerfully, which only served to increase his astonishment.

“Yo! No ways sister,” he spluttered, “all by yourself?” But you are a woman and you are not scared of this thing?” He continued, referring to the Africa Twin. I chuckled and shook my head.

Riding away, I caught a glimpse of him in my mirrors. He had the look of one trying to put together an intricate puzzle but one which still had a few pieces missing.

Nearing my destination in Ha-sethunya, Phuthaditjhaba, I came across a group of gangly teenagers to confirm that I was headed in the right direction. They stared at me, mouths hanging open, seemingly unable to speak. I smiled and repeated myself but still they gawked. I wondered if the shock of seeing a black woman on an enormous motorbike had rendered them speechless and as I was about to take my leave one of them croacked “Yes mama, you are in the right direction.”

Bemused at being called mother, I engaged the gravel function on my bike and started off on the dirt leaving the stunned adolescents in the dust.

One of my favourite things on the Africa Twin is that it has power in spades. With 4 valves per cylinder and 70kW of power, the 998cc powered engine of the Africa Twin effortlessly charged up the steep hill, with me standing on the pegs, grinning.

I arrived at the wedding venue, just as the guests were gathering to receive the bridal party. The buzz of excitement was palpable, but all eyes immediately rivoted in my direction. I alighted, took off my helmet and heard a collective gasp. I sighed. Feeling self conscious I shuffled around the edge of the crowd and made a brisk beeline for the bathroom to freshen up and change out of my riding gear.

Re-emerging and now dressed in my traditional Xhosa maiden attire much to the amazement of the people I had walked past earlier, I had made a total transformation from the ‘butch, tall lady’ in riding gear they had seen earlier. Now, in their midst, stood a dainty demure, proud Xhosa woman, walking back past them. Later, one of the men confessed that he had felt intimidated, when seeing me in my riding gear but that the change of attire had made me more approachable to him.

With the celebrations in full swing, an elderly woman, marched up to me and declared that she had felt a strong sense of disgust when I initially rode in. “I gave you one look and concluded that you were one of those rebellious and defiant young Johannesburg people, but I can see now that you are a nice, well brought up young woman.” I smiled and

she added, “its just that you ride a motorbike which is such a pity”, her words trailed off as she sucked her teeth.

Dancing and mingling with other guests, most guests and I, had forgotten the hullabaloo resulting from me being a black biker chic. That is, until I felt a tap on my shoulder. Before I could say anything, the middle aged man standing infront of me said, “I have always wanted to learn how to ride a motorbike.” His voice was more highly pitched than his portly frame suggested, “and now that I have seen a woman who rides, well, I simply must do it” he concluded confidently. I managed a shaky smile but thought to myself, “Not this again!”.Some men just can’t get past the fact that biking if not a gender competition.

As the day progressed men, women and children asked to take pictures next to the Africa Twin. Not to be outdone on their special day, the bride and groom followed suit but only the groom was brave enough to climb it.

With dusk settling, it was time for me to head back home. I changed back into my riding gear, walked back through the crowd to my metal stallion and noticed that a large contingent of the guests had followed me. I recognised a few faces from earlier in the day and they too were in the circle around me, as if making extremely certain, that this was the same person who was indeed the rider of the big, ‘horse-and-trailer’ motorbike, as some of the elders had decribed it.

I kicked off the bike stand, revved a little and was about to push off, when a woman with a look of genuine concern, rushed up to me. Above the roar of the Africa Twin’s 4 stroke, parallel twin engine I heard her say that if I didn’t feel alright travelling back on my own, I could always put the bike in the boot of one of the other guests’ cars. I was touched, that was one of the sweetest things I’d heard all day.

Written by:Bongiwe Didiza

Ndiyintombi yomXhosa, kwaye ndiqhuba isithuthutu(I am a traditional Xhosa woman and yet I ride motorcycles)

As a proud Xhosa woman who was born and

raised in the dusty village of Nxukhwebe,

Eastern Cape, Bongiwe’s love for motorcycles

sometimes raises eyebrows

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Bongiwe share owns a BMW GS F800 adventure bike. Follow her experiences

on social media.

24 informed • empowered • fearless 25informed • empowered • fearless

With more power, the new models are more technologically advanced, lighter in weight and equipped with more driver aids than ever before.

There are two Africa Twin motorbikes available being – the standard Africa Twin and the Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES. Both motorcycles are driven by a 1,084cc engine, firing 75kW and 105Nm, paired to either a six-speed manual or automatic dual-clutch transmission.

The standard Africa Twin is designed for improved sporting and off-road performance, while the Adventure Sports ES - tailored for comfortable long distance quests - is fitted with heated grips and Showa Electronically Equipped Ride Adjustment suspension (EERA). Both 2020 Africa Twin bikes feature a 6.5-inch TFT (thin-film transistor) colour touchscreen display, which is Apple CarPlay compatible.

New rider aids include wheelie control, cornering ABS, rear-lift control, DCT cornering detection, cornering lights and cruise control as standard. The Honda CRF100L Africa Twin and Adventure Sports ES are available in Rally Red Metallic of Black Matt.

Paying homage to the GSX1100S Katana of the eighties, the new contemporary motorcycle from Suzuki effortlessly highlights sculptured lines and precisely contoured panels in its bold and intricate structure.

Vertically stacked LED headlight and front position lights accent the sharp lines of the Katana’s distinctive face; and its tail light features a striking lighting pattern. Sleek, lean and athletic, the new Suzuki Katana promises its ride the thrill of a lifetime thanks to its 1000cc engine.

The new Katana also relies on its 6-speed transmission, back-torque-limiting clutch, Suzuki’s three-model traction control system and new tyres with tubeless structure which have been designed specifically for the Katana.

Weighing 215kg and standing at 1,110mm high, the Katana measure 835mm wide and is 2,130mm in length. The new Suzuki Katana is available in Metallic Mystic Silver and Glass Sparkle Black.

Starting at: R210 000Starting at: R187 500

The 2020 CRF1100L Africa Twin

derivatives from Honda are set to

up the ante within the adventure

motorcycle arena.

Well known connoisseur motorcycle

manufacturer Suzuki recently unveiled

its most beguiling beauty in the form of

the new Suzuki Katana.

One glance at the S 1000 RR confirms

that is an indomitably spirited

high-performance machine.

Triumph has released the all-new

Rocket 3 R which reportedly delivers

incredible control, comfort, capability

and instantaneous world-leading torque.

The new S 1000 RR features front indicators which have been repositioned from the fairing to the rear view mirrors, resulting in an aesthetically pleasing look as well as improved visibility.

To the rear, the S 1000 RR shows off number plate lighting and the inclusion of LED turn signals in the number plate holder, a design which fuses sex appeal with everyday practicality.

At the heart of the much anticipated German thorough-breed, is the newly engineered four-cylinder engine spitting a heart-thumping 152kW and 113Nm. Reaching a top speed of 299km/hr, street superbike is fitted with BMW Motorrad Race ABS (part integral) and has ABS fittings for Rain, Road and Dynamic mode (Note - no ABS in Race mode).

Other standard features include Dynamic Traction Control, Hill Start Control, Shift Assist Pro, TFT display and LED headlight and rear light. The BMW S 1000 RR is available in Hockenheim silver metallic, Racing red non-metallic and Light white/Racing blue metallic/Racing red.

The muscular new Rocket 3 R features distinctive twin full LED headlights including the distinctive Triumph triangle branding.

The sculptured 3-header exhaust is a hallmark style focal point of the new Rocket 3 range while the 20-spoke wheels enhance the Rocket 3’s dramatic look. Its stylish handlebars, give the rider of this impressive beast a command riding position.

The Rocket 3’s 2,500cc triple is the world’s largest production motorcycle engine, delivering 123kW of power and 221Nm of peak torque paired to a 6-speed gearbox. For rider ease, the all-new Rocket 3 features a TFT multi-functional instrument pack with digital speedometer, trip computer, digital tachometer, gear position indicator, fuel gauge, service indicator, ambient temperature, clock and rider modes (rain, road, sport and rider configurable). The Triumph Rocket 3 has an 18litre petrol tank and is available in Phantom Black and Korossi Red.

Starting at: R311 400Starting at: R299 000

Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin

Suzuki Katana BMW S 1000 RRTriumph Rocket 3

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RING RBGDC15 HD 1.5″ MINI DASH CAMERA The 120° degree lens captures the action providing evidence if there is an accident, reducing your risk of insurance fraud, and, in some cases, even cutting down your insurance costs. Easy to install, set up and use. The device automatically turns itself on when you start your car, and off again when you stop the engine. No need to worry about important files though you can choose to lock the ones you want to keep. R1,195.00 | www.autostyle.co.za

DREAMBABY MONITORING CAR MIRRORSomething all parents should invest in! Designed to enable you to keep an eye on your bundle of joy, nestled comfortably in his/her car seat, the Dreambaby Backseat Mirror is quick and simple to install. Its large convex mirror is made of shatter proof acrylic material for added safety. Without a doubt this is the most thoughtful and inexpensive gift to get for the next shower you attend.R295.00 | www.babyproof.co.za

BESAFE PREGNANCY IZI FIX Research shows that many women shy away from using seatbelts during pregnancy due to fears that it could harm the foetus. The reality though is that seatbelts should be worn at all times which is why The BeSafe device made it onto our list! Designed to guide TheBeSafe device minimises discomfort caused by using seatbelts and especially suited for use after a C-Section. It can be used from the first trimester and has been tested in accordance with ECE R16. R799.00 | www.preciouscargo.co.za

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Vuyi’sGloveboxIt’s fantastic that today’s cars come standard with loads of thoughtful features

designed to make occupants feel safe and comfortable, but let’s face it, there are

many things that could never be included. Here are just a few things we think

are useful, which Vuyi has put to the test over the past few weeks.


SNACK AND PLAY TRAY Perfect for drinks and snacks, the Snack and Play Tray is ideal for use by busy little people in the car, at home and even on planes! It provides a sturdy flat surface for toddlers to eat, read and play on and is quick and easy to wash. The Snack and Play Tray makes such a difference to any travel distance that we think it should become a standard feature in all family cars! R250.00 | www.snatcher.co.za.

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THE LITTLE LOGBOOK Whether you are claiming business mileage, billing clients for travel expenses or keeping tabs on your fleet, the Little LogBook is exactly what you need. No larger than a flash drive, the device collates your trip as your drive making it easy for you to generate accurate travel records. Simly plug it into the USB port, wait a few seconds for the devide to acquire a satellite fix and you are good to go! Portable and user-friendly, the software within the Little LogBook enables you to download your travel data at the click of a mouse. R1,149.00 | www.thegadgetshop.co.za

EXTREME STAIN AND ODOUR REMOVER Travelling with pets can be tricky to say the least, especially whenthey are nervous or frightened, which is when accidents can occur making travel in your car rather unpleasant to say theleast. Instead of hoping nasty smells will eventually fade away try using Solution Extreme Stain and Odour Remover. This professional strength formula has been specially developed to remove vomit, urine and faeces from carpets, upholstery and other water safe surfaces. Best of all, it contains elements which discourage pets from repeat offences (marking) and is safe to use around children and pets. R220.00 | www.petplus.co.za

MCGARD WHEEL LOCK Having your wheels or tyres stolen is expensive, inconvenient and downright annoying, which is why McGard Wheels Locks are worth getting. Not only are they designed to prevent theft by locking them in place, (usinga uniquely patterned lug nut), they are virtually indestructible. Easy to use, The McGard wheel lock functions like a regular lug nut (requires a specific key to be fitted and removed) and is designed to fit most vehicles. Enquire in store | www.twt.co.za

NAIPO MEMORY FOAM LUMBAR SUPPORT CUSHION We spend so much time in our cars that aches and pains have become all but inevitable, and because not all cars are made to be the same, necessary comfort features such as lumbar support may be missing from yours. Instead of being in agony, invest in the Naipo Memory Foam Lumbar Support cushion. Ergonomically designed to fit your body perfectly, it supports your lower back`s natural curve, relieves stress and helps create a healthy sitting posture. Made using materials to keep you cool and comfortable no matter how long you drive for. R501.00 | www.makro.co.za

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04 VITAMIN E HYDRATING FACE MIST The harsh South African sun can be incredibly harmful to your skin which is why keeping it hydrated as much as possible is important. One of Vuyi’s best skincare products is the Vitamin E Hydrating Face Mist from The Body Shop. It combines the antioxidant power of Vitamin E with the moisturising properties of wheat germ oil to keep your skin rehydrated. It contains rosewater to which is great for refreshing the skin and of course, it smellsgreat too! Price: R799.00 | www.preciouscargo.co.za

FOGTECH®DX ADVANCE ONE STEP ANTI FOG WIPES If you’ve ever ridden in wet weather you will appreciate the simplicity of this product because it is the difference between pulling up your visor (at the risk of getting rained on or hit by flying debris) and trying to clear the visor using a one gloved hand (not a good idea!). These wipes keep your visor fog free making them an ingenious safety product, they work on plastic and glass which is good news for motorists who still haven’t figured out how to clear a misty windscreen! The pack contains 12 wipes. R100.00 | www.onlinemotorcyclegear.co.za

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Ignorance is expensive, and

that is evident by the number

of female owned vehicles which

end up requiring major and

expensive repair work. Being

oblivious to the Check Oil

warning light leads to severe

or irreparable damage yet the

solution is quite simple learn

how to check the level of engine

oil yourself.

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Oil is to an engine what blood is to your body and without it, your engine would cease to operate. It also helps prevent dirt and residue build up effectively prolonging engine life. When the level of oil in your engine is low the risk of friction caused by metal parts rubbing against each other increases which as you can imagine is not a good thing. Fuel station attendants are trained to check and top up your engine oil, but instead of re-touching your make-up or catching up on social media, next time you stop to refuel, surprise the attendant, by checking your engine oil level yourself!

Here’s how:Know where the latch to open the bonnet is. A surprising number of women simply don’t know where their bonnet latch is and I’ve heard many husbands lament about receiving calls during meetings to give instructions. Similarly, practise physically opening and locking the bonnet in place else it might just fall over. Depending on the type of vehicle, the dipstick is located towards the front of the engine or further back, towards the windscreen. Either way, it is usually easy to identify by its bright orange ring.

Carefully pull the dipstick out and note where the film of oil ends in relation to any one of the markers on the dipstick. These could be 2 pinholes or indentations on either or both sides of the dipstick. Some sticks have the words “Low” / “High” or “Min” / “Max” engraved into them.

Gently wipe off the oil using the paper available near the pumps and slowly insert the dipstick back into its holder. Ideally, a soft, lint free cloth should be used and if you value the longevity of your engine you may want to keep one in a bag in your boot specifically for this purpose. Sometimes the dipstick gets stuck on the way back in, and you may have to firmly, but gently push it down or pull it out once more and turn it around before re-inserting it. Be aware that the dipstick is flexible so allow it to bend a little as it follows the curve of its container.

Hold the dipstick in place for a few seconds then gently pull it out and observe which marker the oil is at. The higher up the marker the oil is the less you need to worry about topping it up, however the further down the dipstick it is, the more likely your engine is in need of more oil.

NOTE: Before embarking on an engine oil check, read the car’s manual as some manufacturers instruct that oil checks and changes are to be done only by their accredited technicians.

How to check engine oil level

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This is especially relevant when we get flash rains that make the road surface slippery or drive over spillings. Although second hand, worn out tyres appear to be a more cost effective solution, they reduce the performance of a vehicle by increasing stopping distances, raising the risk of skidding and increasing the risk of blow outs.

At the launch of Transport Month in October 2019, President Cyril Ramaphosa said, “It pains me that our country continues to experience around 14,000 road deaths each year.”

“With over 60% of second hand tyres in South Africa deemed illegal, road users need to understand the dangers of driving using unsafe, worn out tyres. “Unsafe second hand tyres as well as worn out tyres are one of the major culprits that cause fatal consequences for road users, especially when one considers that the only component of the vehicle which, at any given point, makes contact with the surface of the road, is the tyre,” stated Darren Hayes-Powell, Group Managing Director at Goodyear South Africa.

Transport plays a critical role in sustaining our economy and commuting people to various

destinations, therefore it is of utmost importance that we focus on the condition of tyres, the critical component that keeps the vehicle moving. A simple tyre check at the end of each week will ensure you keep on top of the safety and wear performance of your tyres. As you park, move the steering wheel to the left or right to expose the front tyres when you exit the vehicle. This will give you easy access and view of your front tyres. It is also important you look at your rear tyres as they may also wear differently depending on how you drive. These simple checks can ensure that you keep yourself, your passengers as well as the pedestrians around you safe as you drive.

Darren Hayes-Powell, concluded by saying, “Always make sure that your tyres are in good condition, that they are not worn out and if you are buying a second hand tyre, make sure that the tread wear indicator is visible, and it is below the tread across the whole tyre and there is no bulging on the side of the tyres. Adopt the habit of parking your car with the front tyres at an angle to make it easier to check their tread depth.

This simple exercise, combined with a stringent quality check, can be the thin line between life and death.”

The know how around your treads

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The choice between an illegal, worn out tyre and

a safe tyre could be a matter of life and death

especially when you consider the various terrains

and conditions we drive on.

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For many young students and graduates their first introduction to adulting starts

when they make a decision to buy their first car. This can be a daunting experience

as car ownership involves many additional expenses such as fuel, insurance and

maintenance which can all impact monthly budgets and cash flow.


Becoming independently mobile can be an exciting prospect, but buying a car is also a long term commitment so it’s important to understand the economics involved.

These tips from WesBank will help navigate the decision making and buying process and ensure that students and graduates are better equipped in their financial journey:

• Track your income and expenses: This means understanding exactly how much you make versus how much you spend. Draw up a detailed budget including income and expenses to determine what you can realistically afford to spend on a car. As difficult as it may be, stick to your budget.

• Spend less than you make every month: A budget is important as it helps to ensure that you spend less than what you make each month. If you do not track your spending, it can be easy to overspend and ultimately end up in a debt situation that’s difficult to overcome.

• Minimise on lifestyle inflation: Being young often means high pressure to go out and socialise, or buy the most expensive items of clothing and gadgets, instead of sav-ing towards bigger purchases, like a personal vehicle, a house, or saving for emergencies. It’s important to be aware of your entertainment needs, and identify other less expensive means of entertainment. Binge spending once in a while is okay, budget permitting, but be careful not to

one-on-oneAdultingBuying your first car

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Courtesy of: Wesbank overdo it through lifestyle pressures. The money that you’re spending on unnecessary items, such as excessive entertainment, is money that you could be using towards something that will make a real difference to your life.

• Start saving early: One of the most common mistakes any working individual makes is thinking they will only start saving once they start earning a certain amount. Saving is one important financial discipline that should not be put off. Even if you start with a small amount, saving is a lifelong decision which impacts how early you can retire as well as having a go-to ‘piggy bank’ in case of a financially demanding emergency.

Purchasing a vehicle can be stressful for students and graduates, especially because they do not always have a credit history.

For those looking to buy their first car, the WesBank Graduate Finance offering provides graduates with competitive interest rates and credit history is not essential. The entire application process can be accessed and completed online.

WesBank Graduate Finance is designed for graduates who:• Have a university degree, three year diploma or NQF 6 qualification• Have graduated within the past three years• Are under the age of 31• Can provide proof of employment• Hold a valid driver’s license• Are South African citizens

Image: www.pexels.com

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Courtesy of:Automobile

Association SA

otorists who opt to have insurance, often choose insurance products based on the lowest available premiums, rather than from a point of understanding the benefits and disadvantages of the products they consider buying. Granted, it is sometimes difficult to find insurance which matches your pocket, and which gives you the cover you need or want. For this reason, it is necessary for motorists to read their policies carefully, so as to understand all the aspects of the insurance they are planning on taking. Too often, low premiums sound good but fall short when claims are made.

A good example is an excess fee which may be payable when a claim is made. An excess is a fee you pay towards a claim for loss or damage to your car, regardless of who is to blame. A company offering a low monthly premium, for instance, may require a substantial excess in the case of loss or damage. When this happens some people are shocked to discover that the costs of repair to a vehicle may be carried entirely, or in part, through the excess fee, with little or no money being paid out by the insurer. In this case lower monthly premiums will not count for much as the motorist still has to pay a big portion of the costs out of their own pocket.

Are youcovered?There are just over 11 million registered vehicles in South Africa (excluding caravans

and trailers). According to statistics, the majority of these vehicles (around 60-70%)

are uninsured. This means that for one to have a vehicle on the road, insurance should

not be viewed as a luxury, but a necessity.

Introduction to motor vehicle insurance


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Equally important, is an understanding of the terminology used in insurance contracts. Motorists must ask for clarification of any unclear clauses before committing to a specific insurance policy. Critical questions to ask when considering insurance are: • What is my excess? Is there a different excess for loss and for damage?• Is the excess a flat rate, or is it calculated as a percentage of the loss or damage?• Besides the initial excess fee, are there any additional excess fees payable when I make a claim?• Are there any penalties for claiming within the first six months, or in the first year? (If there are, determine exactly what these penalties are)• What is the turnaround time for claims?• Will I be covered if other people drive my car? (And, if you are covered, is there a difference in

the coverage if the car was driven by an 18 year old driver or a 45 year old driver?)• Is my car covered for resale or full retail value?• Is this insurance comprehensive insurance?• Are there any limitations on where or when I can drive my car?• If something happens to my car, is car hire included in my cover while it is being repaired or replaced?

Consumer education is vitally important for motorists. It is not enough to merely rely on one’s countless years of driving experience, vehicle safety features or lucky charms.

By virtue of being on the road you are at great physical, mental and financial risk if you drive an uninsured car.

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90% of the information motorists need is received through the eyes, therefore it stands to reason that good vision is a prerequisite for safe driving. There are different types of visual functionality necessary for driving, and should any of these be impaired your level of safety on the road becomes automatically compromised.

These are:COLOUR VISION Which helps you identify things like traffic signals, different coloured road signs, indicator and brake lights

DEPTH PERCEPTION Is the ability to see things in three dimensions (length, width and depth) and to judge the distance of various objects in relation to where you areVISUAL ACUITY Gauges how clearly you can see VISUAL FIELD Is how wide an area your eye can see when you focus on a central pointPERIPHERAL VISION Enables you to see things to your left or right such as the sides of your car, animals, cyclists and pedestrians without the need to glance away from the road.

Written by:Thembela Moyo


Written by:Thembela MoyoHow

well can youreally see?

A woman has the ability to note that the left toe nail of another woman 10m away is

in need of a trim and colour fill but has difficulty seeing the SUV she reversed into

in the parking lot. You laugh but you know it’s true and although my comparison is

wildly exaggerated its aim is to demonstrate the importance of good vision.

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Near Vision is the ability to quickly and effectively adjust your focus from something far away such as the bend on road ahead, to something near such as the information on your dashboard.

It is incredible that the above (and more) work together almost instantaneously and to a large extent are the determining factors used in making critical driving decisions. Asides driving distracted or under the influence of drugs or alcohol, other reasons which affect our ability to see properly include:• Normal age related degeneration• Glaucoma, a disease which damages the eye’s optic nerve leading to the development of blind spots in your central or peripheral vision • Macular degeneration, a disease in which a part of the retina (called the macula) becomes damaged, causing loss to central vision• Diabetic retinopathy – a disease in which high blood sugar levels cause damage to blood vessels in the retina, depriving it of both central and peripheral vision

• Cataract, a progressive clouding of the lens in the eye, causing halos around lights, blurry vision and difficulty in seeing properly in bad weather conditions, poorly lit environments and at night

Nothing signals that we are aging quite like deteriorating eyesight which is one of the leading reasons most people avoid having their eyes tested. Thanks to modern technology however, there are many corrective solutions for various eyesight deficiencies which don’t involve thick unsightly glasses. There is no shame in admitting that your vision isn’t quite what it used to be so book an appointment with a registered optometrist so that you remain safe on the road.

If you can’t see properly, you can’t drive safely it’s

that simple

SPECIAL ALERT!!!FREE PAIR OF SUNGLASSES WITH

ANY PURCHASE OF SELECTED BRAND FRAMES!

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Book an Appointment

010 591 [email protected]

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What price wouldn’t you pay

to ensure your child’s safety?

There is much talk about child

in car safety and one of the

most common ways to ensure

the safety of your precious

cargo is with the aid of

ISOFIX fittings. But what

exactly are they and how do

they work?

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The word ISOFIX is derived from the words “International Safety Organization” (ISO) and “Fixation” (FIX). It is the international standard for attachment points for child safety seats in passenger vehicles. They are ‘u-shaped brackets’ welded to the chassis of a car for the sole purpose of securing an ISOFIX compliant child seat or base. Almost all cars come standard with ISOFIX points. They are not optional extras nor can they be removed. Should the car owner not need to use them, they remain unobstructive and do not interfere with passenger seating comfort.

Why do I need them?Prior to ISOFIX fittings and ISOFIX compliant car seats, there was a myriad of different sizes and shaped of car seats on the market. It can’t have been easy for parents to know which car seat was best for their child. ISOFIX however was designed to give parents peace of mind and security, and by virtue of their design, added protection for children in the event of an accident.

Does my car have them?Most manufacturers mark the location of the ISOFIX fittings with either the words ISOFIX or a symbol. Some are covered with hard plastic flaps whereas others are covered by the upholstery of the vehicle. They are generally located either in the front passenger or rear seats.

How do I find them?To identify them, push your hand through the gap where the backrest and seat meet and run

it across from one end to the other. Within seconds you will come across the first metallic u-shaped fitting. Continue sliding your hand across the gap until you locate the second.

What do they do?Those with more grey hair than they care to admit will remember a time when in-car child safety meant securing the car seat with the use of seatbelts and a prayer for the best! ISOFIX fittings however, keep the car seat firmly in place drastically reducing the possibility of your child tumbling out of his seat in the event of an emergency braking scenario.

Aside offering optimal safety, ISOFIX and compliant products include:• Ease of use• Quick and simple to install• Convenience

ISOFIX fittings in a car are so important that they have become major considerations in the car buying process. They minimise the risk of incorrectly installing a car seat and provide a solid and permanent connection between the car and the framework of the child seat. ISOFIX compliant car seats are a bit pricey but then again.

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Granted, many parents are unable to take time off daily to do the school run and rely on transport services to ferry their children to and from school.

While some opt to use transport recommended by the school their children attend, others resort to contracting a neighbour or local taxi driver to do so. However, not all service providers are in the afterschool transport business with a passion for children not with the mind to relieve parents’ soaring levels of stress, and because our roads can be a jungle at the best of times today might be a good day to give serious thought to who is driving your child and more importantly how and in what.

Whatever your financial position might be, it is important to ensure that your child is in the safest possible vehicle while you are at work. Given the number of uninsured vehicles on our roads, the

last thing any parent would want, is to receive that dreaded call from a stranger identifying themselves as a policeman and informing you of a horrific accident involving your child. As frightening as that thought might be, it can become a reality should the vehicle your child travel in be unworthy of being on the road.

Elements such as faulty brakes, streaky windscreen wipers and worn tyres are common place in most vehicles as are, unfortunately, unlicensed and intoxicated drivers (alcohol or drugs) the need for parents to cautiously select their child’s transport becomes a critical non-negotiable.

A basic check list for parentsPerson responsible for transporting your children should have:• Drivers valid Professional Driving Permit with minimum 2 years driving experience

transport

ChoosingChildrens

For most parents, the Back to School to-do list reads like the ammunition inventory

of a military base! Uniform? Check! Stationary? Check! School fees paid? Check!

Kids in the best school I can afford? Check! Reliable afterschool transport?

Em…let’s just use what’s his name down the road. Sound familiar?

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• Basic First Aid Course• Up to date Defensive Driver Training Course• Anti-hijack training course• Drivers police clearance certificate

Their vehicle should:• Be clean (interior and exterior) with clear uncracked windscreen• Not have rusty dings and scrapes• Be fitted with sufficient seatbelts per child • Be fitted with Bluetooth• Have 2 red reflective triangles• Be roadworthy• Have functional headlights, wiper blades, indicating emergency lights, brake and reverse lights (all covers and globes intact)• Have a minimum of 1 fire extinguisher

Parents should have the following documentation monthly (amended as necessary): • Detailed route to be followed to and from the school• Detailed timetable showing pick up and drop off points

• List of name of the pupils being transported• Copy of the vehicles service record as well as date of the next up coming service• Proof of insurance cover

Of course, the responsibility of the children’s safety also falls on the parents, who need to conduct spot-checks on the vehicle and driver to ensure that the person contracted to transport your bundle of joy is indeed in the driver’s seat. Vitally important to also listen to the children when they relate the nature of their day which will reveal added information about the driver’s conduct. Only your child can illustrate how the driver stuck his head out of the window and yelled at the other driver like daddy sometimes does! Even if you are delighted with your current service some of the points mentioned above will never be outdated.

Peace of mind is much cheaper than medical care or a casket

You don't need to juggle your

kids' transport arrangementssuperpowers

You need a

ms o c c e r mSafe and reliable drivers tailored to your family's unique schedule and needs. No shared rides, no unnecessary stops along a fixed route. A fully personalized service to safely chauffeur your children.

[email protected] | 0829361677

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Written by:Vuyi MpofuMeet

TAMAMtonga

Tama Mtonga grew from knowing nothing about cars to becoming the

General Sales Manager of the successful and proudly Black Owned BMW Joburg City &

MINI Joburg City dealership. This is her story.

Sitting in the plush lounge of the BMW Joburg City & MINI Joburg City dealership I wondered how it was that I had never met Tama Mtonga before. Not only is she one of the few Black women at her level within the motoring industry but her being an executive at one of my most favourite car brands, should have gotten me at her doorstep earlier! As she gracefully walked towards me to begin our interview, I had no idea that our encounter would turn the old adage - good things coming to those who wait - entirely on its head and so that it became.

Who is Tama Mtonga?Raised in Randfontein, West Rand Tama is the eldest of 5 children, 3 brothers and a sister. She studied at Krugersdorp High School and later studied Marketing at the then Rand Afrikaans University (University of Johannesburg).

The Early YearsAs a child I wanted to become an Air Hostess but my grandmother put me off that idea so when I got to University I went into marketing and had dreams of putting brands, and myself out there – or so I thought that is all marketing entailed! When I graduated however I couldn’t find work for quite a while until I saw an advert for BMW Sales Cadet Program applied for the position and was accepted.

Getting into the motoring industryI knew absolutely nothing about cars when I started at the BMW Sales Cadet Program in August 2007. In all honesty all I had wanted was a job so no, I didn’t set out with a burning desire to join the motoring industry. But as I learnt more about cars, kilowatts, fuel consumption, sales, finance and customer service the more my interest in motoring grew.


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The Come UpThe 1st car I sold was a BMW 520i and I still bump into that first customer at various company events but from the moment I engaged with him everything I had been taught during my training evaporated into thin air! Luckily, he was extremely patient with me and I must gotten a few things right because he subsequently purchased 3 more cars from me over time.

From Downtown to NewtownThe BMW dealership in Commissioner Street did not offer its customers the MINI brand and it became increasingly clear that we needed to cater for that market too. So, when we outgrew the Commissioner Street building and moved into our Newtown home, we seized the opportunity to bring MINI into our stable. Along with the move, I was promoted to General Sales Manager, a position I have held since December 2017.

Turning Challenges into StrengthsAlthough worthwhile, my journey hasn’t been without its fair share of challenges and I have had to learn to be patient, bide my time identify and turn setbacks into learning opportunities. For instance, I wasn’t simply promoted to the position of Customer Services Manager; instead, I applied for it, was turned down and then offered the position when my seniors felt I was ready for the new role and had matured sufficiently to handle the responsibility that came with it.

Knowing a Good ThingI consider myself exceptionally blessed to have started my career at Joburg City Auto and to have Mr Stephen Nale, as my mentor. He identified my potential when I didn’t even realise it and nurtured my progress. He believed in me and continues to trust and guide me. I could not have asked for a better work dad!

Log onto our YouTube Channel to hear Tama’s full interview including her take on mistakes customers make when buying a car and her touching dedication to

Mr Stephen Nale, her mentor.



We all know that drinking and driving is a lethal combination which could lead to embarrassing legal implications, serious injury or death; yet every evening, thousands of intoxicated motorists across the country make declarations of a similar nature, confident in the false knowledge that they are safe simply because they have in the past, gotten home alive.

Here are a few ways in which alcohol is detrimental to your ability to drive:

1. REACTION TIMEThe more alcohol you consume, the longer it takes for your brain to process vital information. For instance, a movement such as lifting your foot off the accelerator might ordinarily take you 1 second, but under the effects of alcohol your reaction time could increase to 2 seconds or longer.

2. IMPAIRED VISIONIt is not unusual to experience blurred or double vision after a few drinks. Alcohol impairs your peripheral vision, meaning motorists become less aware of what is going on either to their left or right. Further, resulting in an inability to accurately identify pedestrians, trees, road signs and other vehicles.

3. REDUCED CONCENTRATIONDriving requires your undivided attention for relatively minor tasks such as staying within one lane, monitoring vehicular, identifying obstacles etc., all of which diminish significantly when alco-hol is introduced to the brain.

4. LACK OF COORDINATIONEye, hand and foot coordination are essential for driving but after a couple of drinks some motorists struggle with tasks as simple as inserting the key into the ignition.

The

“I’m fine”. “Of course I can drive”. “I live just around the corner”

These are usually the last few slurred words muttered by drunk drivers as

they fumble to unlock their car door.

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5. POOR JUDGMENTYour ability to plan, react, think, make sound de-cisions and process information become affected even with the smallest amount of alcohol in one’s system, all of which affect your ability to adopt to rapidly changing events on the road.

There is absolutely no justification for driving after drinking, particularly with the availability of apps such as Uber, Bolt not to mention the value of pre planning like arranging a designated driver or calling a friend.

The decision not to drive after drinking is one which each and every one of us can and should make, and in order to keep the roads safe for all the right decision would be not to drink at all if you will need to drive afterwards. Remember, law enforcement agents do not prevent people from driving drunk, all they can do is punish those caught in the act.

Don’t let that be you.



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Thethat changed my life

Drive along any road, at any time day or night, anywhere in South Africa and you will be

gobsmacked by the number of motorists who text whilst driving. For each person you see

whose eyes are glued to the screen of their handset, there is another person on the other

end of the line equally guilty of causing a potentially fatal driving situation.

For events coordinator, Ayanda*, the cold and harsh reality of interacting with someone who was driving, irrevocably changed her life forever when she inadvertently contributed to the fatal road accident which claimed the life of her fiancé, Vincent*, 6 weeks prior to their big day.

Mixed emotions grew within me as I awaited Ayanda’s arrival for our interview. On the one hand, I marvelled at her courage for sharing such a personal story but couldn’t help being furious about her and Vincent’s carelessness. On the other, my heart broke for her and I was

wrecked with fear because this is something which could happen to anyone. In the midst of all that, I also felt a sense of hopelessness as the reality of how ineffective the road safety messages #dontdrivedistracted really are.

I signalled to the woman wearing a bright green blouse at the entrance of our meeting spot and watched Ayanda glide across the room towards me. When she took off her designer sunglasses and I looked into her eyes, I was ill prepared for the pain of what she was about to share.

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“If you had told me before the accident that being on the phone with someone who was driving could cause an accident I might have paused but all the messages I had ever heard were directed at the driver and not at me, the person safely seated at their desk or at home. Maybe I would have been more strict with Vince about using Bluetooth and would not have texted him. Maybe he would still be alive”. Her voice was barely a whisper.

As she sipped on her water, I reflected on how many people, like Ayanda and Vincent believe that accidents happened to other people. In this instance however, the accident had happened to them, directly to Vincent, and with massive ramifications on Ayanda and their combined families.

“Vincent’s car was an extension of his office.” Ayanda’s soft voice penetrated my thoughts. “He made and received calls all the time whilst driving and even responded to texts and emails”, she continued. “In truth, he was involved in many near misses, and whenever I was in the car with him I would have to be his eyes and give him instructions to slow down whenever I noticed that he was too engrossed in a conversation to notice that the traffic light was turning red and that he needed to slow down. I did ask him not to use his phone so much but he would say he was working to make money for us. I couldn’t argue with that,”she said.

As our conversation unfolded, Ayanda confided that on the day of the accident, they were going on a romantic weekend away and that he had been scheduled to fetch her from her office at lunchtime. They had both been feeling stressed about the demands made by their families and the ever escalating costs of the wedding. “We just needed some time out you know, just to regroup and focus on each other.” Her voice trailed off and there was a moment of uncomfortable silence before she continued.

“I was barely paying attention in the meeting I was in, the client just kept repeating everything everyone had already said, so I started a Whatsapp conversation with Vincent to keep myself entertained.” This was the only time her eyes lit up and she actually smiled. “Our chat was naughty and hot as always but halfway through he just stopped responding. At first I thought he was on a call, but 30 minutes later he still hadn’t texted me back. The meeting ended and I called him immediately but didn’t get an answer. He still hadn’t called or texted by lunch time when he was meant to have arrived at my office and I had begun to feel angry. I imagined he had agreed to have a ‘quick meeting’ and hadn’t told me because he knew how I would react,” her chuckle faded along with the brief twinkle that had been in her eyes up until this point.

Ayanda says she had tried to refocus on her work whilst putting on a brave face for colleagues who were surprised that she was still in the office. “I called a taxi and angrily shoved my bags into the boot, holding back tears of frustration and faking a smile at the friendly taxi driver who had started on about the weather. “It never occurred to me that anything could have gone wrong, so when I got home, I called his friends to enquire about his whereabouts”, she recalls.

Hours later, Ayanda was woken up by an insistent buzzing of her doorbell, but her excitement and relief soon changed toinconsolable grief when she opened the door to the anguished look from the would have been best man of their wedding, telling her that Vincent had been in an accident earlier that morning.

Through the ensuing haze, Ayanda learnt that the fatal accident had occurred at 11:06, right in the

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middle of her text conversation with Vincent. According to police and eyewitnesses, Vincent had driven his sedan at high speed into the rear of a truck at a four way stop and had succumbed to his injuries almost immediately. He had not had time to react in anyway, hence there were no skid marks and motorists whom he had passed him a short distance prior reported seeing a man holding his phone whilst driving, seemingly texting.

What every motorist needs to know is that the human brain is physically unable to do more than one task at a time, hence it is not possible to give one’s full attention to the intricacies of driving whilst engaged in any other task such as texting, reading a map, etc. When driving distracted, our brains cannot register critical visual information which is why motorists tend to look at an object and not see it. In other words, a driver can be looking out of the windscreen at the car in front of theirs but not mentally process that there is indeed another vehicle there.

This is called cognitive blindness because the portion of the brain whose function it is to register such information would otherwise be engaged in the other task the driver would have allocated to it, such as texting. Cognitive blindness affects the crucial motor skills (e.g. eye, hand, foot coordination) required to react to the ever changing driving environment.

When you drive distracted your car typically veers off its intended course (usually by crossing into other lanes or going onto oncoming traffic), you hit the brakes more sharply than intended when your mind ‘comes to’ itself, you don’t touch the brakes at all, and your general driving behaviour can be described as erratic.

Ayanda suffered a nervous breakdown and was hospitalised for almost 6 months in a psychiatric ward. She lost a considerable amount of weight

as well as her job, car and apartment. It has taken her almost two years to regain herself and she still battles with feelings of guilt and regret. Her friends and family have learnt to switch their phones off when driving and she has had to rebuild almost every area of her life including the courage to drive (as she associated driving with Vincent’s death).

“I agreed to do this interview so that I could share my story with others. We don’t talk about such things yet these things happen. No one should go through what I have gone through and I just want everyone to know that it’s not just a call or a text, it is your life and it is the lives of those who love you. Seriously, guys don’t drive distracted”.

As I watched her leave at the end of our interview I felt almost as drained as she looked. Once again my emotions were in roller coaster mode. I couldn’t begin to imagine what Ayanda and Vincent’s families had gone through, and I was pained at what their worlds had unneces sarily changed. In my mind, Ayanda is now the poster child for the consequences of driving distracted and she and those around her have learnt an incredibly simple lesson in the cruelest way possible. I can only hope, that her story will be more effective than our tireless #dontdrivedistrated message, and most importantly that her courage to share her story won’t be in vain.

Written by:Andrew Jones

We do love our cars more

than you

Yes ladies...

A woman has been the centre of a mans’ being for centuries.

From the days of creation, the female form has been the

image of all that is pure (and a whole-lotta-mentionable stuff

which I’m not allowed to write) us men have built and

delicately placed you on top of a towering pedestal, and had it

not been for the invention of fast cars, loud exhaust notes and

gleamingchrome you would have stayed there.

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It's notjust a call or a text, it is your life

and it is the lives of those who love you.


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The truth, my lovelies, is that it’s time you learnt the sobering truth and I risking life and limb by breaking this sacred guy code to do so but…we men care more for cars than we ever could for the hottest woman on the planet. There. I’ve said it and here’s why.

Firstly, a car ’s primary functionality is movement, which in men talk translates to either movement towards women or movement away from them, depending on your physical attributes, mood or how late it was when we crept in the night before. Secondly, cars transport us to venues where other women (who don’t know you) are, such as beaches, hotels, gyms, restaurants, nightclubs, etc. Thirdly, our cars are our mobile man caves, a place where we can occasionally think, scratch, pass wind and burp something we struggle to do with you gagging in the passenger seat and calling us pre-historic pet names such as gross and animal! But most importantly ladies, the majority of red blooded males prefer a sexy car as opposedto a sexy woman, because sexy cars attract more sexy women to us.

For some inexplicable reason, women don’t understand that a car is quite literally an extension of a man, or maybe just one particular aspect of his body. I say inexplicable because women have the uncanny ability to discern if another woman’s mammary glands are flesh or plastic and know when we are ogling another female after she has walked past even though our heads didn’t move an inch!

For those ladies who rarely take such dialogue lying down (no pun intended), calm down sis and only after you have read my irrefutable rationale can you comment, if you dare.

Here goes: Our cars1. are more straightforward and easy to understand. 2. have warning lights which tell us when something is about to go wrong. 3. never tell us to dress up when we go out. 4. don’t tell us we have a beer belly or ask when last we went to the gym. 5. ask when they will meet our mothers.6. don’t flock to the garage together. 7. get along with, even our most obnoxious male buddies.8. don’t mind that we love more than 1 car at the same time. 9. don’t ask where ‘this’ is going. 10. don’t feel insecure about the car you had before them.

Best of all we can lower the volume of our cars sound system or even put it on mute!

Ladies, if you are honest, you’ll have to admit that you do not and will never compare nor compete with our cars and we know that hurts but it is what it is. By sharing what has been a deeply guarded secret till now, I hope the male fraternity of South Africa will recognise and honour me for this brave act of social responsibility I have rendered because I have articulated what most men wish you know but are to poop scared to say!

Now, let me call me wife and tell her that none of this applies to her and that I have built her an even higher pedestal than the one she was beautifully perched on before I wrote this article.

Que violins, rose petals, fluffy

clouds and Teddy Pendegrass voice


Taking the long route to Coffee Bay

Road trip

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There is a straight-forward way to get from Johannesburg to the iconic natural wonder which is Hole-In-The-Wall in the Wild Coast; a route that follows the N3 to Howick, proceeds to Mthatha along the R612 before culminating in Coffee Bay.

That, however, was not the route my friends and I took when we set out on our annual Ubuntu Adventure / Pride of Africa Ride. Instead, driving my sponsored Christmas Wheels from Isuzu SA and riding sponsored bikes from Honda SA we travelled the long way round; first to Ladybrand (near Maseru), then to East London before finally heading for Coffee Bay. With some of our party travelling in the comfy 7-seater mu-X and the others on Honda’s iconic Africa Twin 1000cc adventure motorcycles our trip was peppered with loads of humour, challenging weather conditions and numerous rest stops.

Taking command of the impressive Isuzu mu-X, I had fairly heavy-duty expectations of Isuzu’s first-ever SUV. The vehicle would have to prove itself on several fronts, namely fuel efficiency over our 2600km trip. It would also be required to effortlessly transverse roads of varying degrees of maintenance ranging from the smooth surfaces of national highways to hair-raising strips of tar dominated by pot-holes, each the size of an average two-bedroom apartment; lug my brand new (sponsored) 230kg Honda NC750X motorcycle; have enough space to comfortably seat 3 adults; securely tow luggage for 4 women and a man, (whose ‘tog bag’ could never really count as luggage) as well as the mandatory ‘above-average’ size, cooler-box.

My familiarity with the interior properties and storage capabilities of the mu-X was not in question thanks to the partnership between Isuzu South Africa and the Gals Garage Driving Experiences; so it was easy to tick off its ability to cater for our luggage, but had to fold the 3rd-row of seats down in order to do so.

I had never towed anything as heavy as a motorcycle before hence my concerns relating to the weight of the bike, fuel efficacy, and vehicle performance were a the fore of my mind. Fortunately, these were quickly muted. For a start, the weight of the bike (a.k.a “Blue Wildebeest”) might as well have been a feather thanks to the mu-X’s 3-tonne towing capability and the Isuzu’s trusted 3.0-litre, 130kW, turbodiesel engine.

Stopping every 2-hours to stretch our legs and replenish ourselves and the machines, our rest stops included Bethlehem for a hearty breakfast in Bethlehem, Ladybrand for a comical photoshoot, and Queenstown for ice-cream before overnighting at our family home in East London.

After breakfast and a lengthy farewell ceremony which included prayers travelling mercies, we made our way to Drifters Raceway Theme Park, an outdoor adventure and amusement park in Cambridge Hall. Our intention had been to have fun testing our quad-biking skills along the narrow, twisty inclines of the track; but what was meant to be an hour’s stop over culminated in lunch on the wooden deck over-looking the plush greenery of the Park’s surroundings.

Hunger pangs subdued, we began the 4-hour journey to Coffee Bay, which proved to be more eventful than anyone could have anticipated. At this point I had unleashed the Blue Wildebeest from the shackles of the trailer and handed the mu-X key’s to one of our party.

Commanding my bike, I did my best to keep up with my more experienced friends on their Africa Twin motorcycles and the only reason we rode on par was because the road conditions compelled them to stay at my pace. The three of us dodged, bobbed and negotiated our way around potholes, speeding motorists, crazy bus drivers, oblivious pedestrians and unperturbed livestock leisurely sauntering across the roads. At one point I caught a glimpse of the mu-X dancing its way through the same obstacles and imagined that its entire braking system - ABS with EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution) and EBA (Emergency Brake Assist) – had been rudely awakened to active duty.

Bringing my focus back to my immediate need for self-preservation, I quickly re-acquainted myself with the Honda’s traction control settings and responsive front and rear brakes. Perched 1.35 metres above the tar and moving at 120km/hr whenever conditions permitted, the ever-changing nature of the road provided me with an opportunity to practise everything Morag Campbell had taught me during our biking lessons. At times, the fact that the world sharply fell away beyond the metal incentivised me to slow down and re-position myself within the lane, and at other times, the twists, long curves and hair-pin bends reminded me to distribute my weight appropriately.

I can best describe the road directly to Coffee Bay as uncompromisingly hostile for drivers and as an extreme sport for bikers. It was along this stretch of road that the agility of the mu-X and Honda bikes were severely tested. Screaming gusts of wind howled around mu-X,

Every year-end, I am privileged to receive

a vehicle to use during the

December/January holiday break;

and this past Christmas I had the spacious

7-seater Isuzu mu-X, sports utility vehicle.


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and threatened to tear us off the bikes seats, whilst on ground level, all bikers and the mu-X driver discovered pothole avoidance skills of MBA-level! As daylight kissed us farewell, the Bi-LED projector headlights of the mu-X came to our aid, to illuminate the bits of tar between the potholes.

6-hours after leaving East London, battered, tired and without a trace of humour, we arrived at Eagle’s Nest Backpackers Lodge. We each claimed the first bed we saw and awoke the following morning to witness the sun shimmering over the Indian ocean. The Lodge’s wooden patio provided a worthy setting for our scrumptious breakfast. Our bottoms befittingly numb and perhaps because the weather was a little sour not one of us gave the motorcycles a sideward glance as we set off for a spot of sight-seeing, fresh air and local ‘jewellery shopping’ from the hard-negotiating mamas at the beach.

After a few days of much needed relaxation, we started back along the treacherous road headed for the relative calm of the N2 traffic. Re-fuelling in Mthatha allowed for a collective drop in heart-rates, before embarking on the 5-hour ride and drive towards Howick Falls in Kwa-Zulu Natal, then along the N3 to Johannesburg.

Our epic, Ubuntu Adventure 2019 ended with as much laughter and coffee as it had started, only this time we were reliving memories of our trip. It had been long and challenging but most rewarding. The Isuzu mu-X had proved to be an more than adequate long-haul partner - providing superior safety, unparalleled comfort, space, and value-for-fuel-spend. Similarly, my Blue Wilde-beest Honda had quite literally taken for the ride of a lifetime – cementing it’s premium position as being one of the best motorcycles for learner bikers, thanks to its gentle throttle, numerous safety features and rider-ease.


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[email protected] | +27 82 607 6825 | www.furbelowshop.com

For pics and videos from our trip, log onto our YouTube Channel.

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