By Buziwe Nocuze
• Limakatso Khalianyane fell in love with motorbikes at 14 and finally bought her first bike in 2022 after taking riding lessons.
• The Cape Town rider is preparing for her dream African tour by completing long distance trips, including a solo journey to Komani.
How a childhood promise put her on two wheels: By Buziwe Nocuze
Limakatso Khalianyane, a 38-year-old woman from Matatiele who now lives in Cape Town, is one of only five black women riding motorbikes in the city.
“I have always loved bikes. I saw them for the first time when I was 14 years old and made a decision that one day, when I had money, I would buy myself one. Twenty years later, I got one,” said Khalianyane.
Growing up close to the Drakensberg mountains in Matatiele, she was fascinated by them. “I told myself that I would buy a bike to ride into those mountains. During Covid-19, I took the time to do research on bikes and really decided which type of riding I wanted to pursue,” said Khalianyane.
She watched a lady by the name of Itchy Boots on YouTube and another rider, Wamunyu, from Kenya.
“As soon as Covid-19 restrictions were lifted in 2021, I took lessons, got my learner’s licence, and bought my first bike in 2022,” said Khalianyane.
Her first ride was from Khayelitsha to Kayamandi in Stellenbosch. “It was scary, but I was happy when I got there. When I got home, my whole body was shaking because the whole experience was new,” said Khalianyane.
It was not hard for her to get started because she was obsessed with the idea of being a bike rider.
“Currently, I ride a BMW F750 GS. They are known to be tall bikes, but mine is specifically for shorter riders, it has factory-lowered suspension and an extra-low seat. I chose it because it’s the right bike for what I want to do. My dream is to tour the African continent on a bike,” said Khalianyane.
Her favourite type of riding is long-distance, where she doesn’t have to return home immediately. “I have been doing long-distance rides and they excite me. I am doing them to prepare myself for that one day when I finally decide to take my Africa tour,” said Khalianyane.
The most memorable ride was the first long-distance trip she took solo, from Cape Town to Komani in the Eastern Cape.
“For women who want to become bike riders, they must start small; they must start with a bicycle. If they can do that, then riding a motorcycle will be a lot easier. We are having the time of our lives in motorcycling. If you respect the machine and avoid reckless riding, it will keep you alive,” said Khalianyane.
Thandeka Mgoqi, another female rider, was introduced to bikes by her dad while still in primary school. She rode his bike on the farm.
“I believe women can do anything they put their minds to. Although it’s a male-dominated world, in South Africa we are blessed to have a high number of female riders compared to the rest of the African continent. Biking has no gender in my world,” said Mgoqi.
Papinki Lebelo, from Club Kasi Rider MCC, says the personal advice he can give a newer rider is to respect the motorbike, as it is dangerous if used disrespectfully.
Another thing they always preach is the importance of wearing protective gear, such as boots and helmets, to mention just a few.
“When teaching someone to ride a bike, you need to have time and accept that they are not all the same. We always tell them that if not respected, a motorbike is a moving killing machine; you can lose your life in the snap of a finger if you disrespect it,” said Lebelo.
Pictured above: Limakatso Khalianyane, one of the few black women riding a bike in Cape Town.
Image Credit: Supplied
Limakatso now rides a BMW F750 GS, which has been made suitable for a shorter rider with lowered suspension and an extra low seat.
Her biggest dream is to tour Africa on her motorbike.
Long distance riding is her favourite and she uses those trips to prepare for her planned African adventure.
Her most memorable journey was her first solo long distance trip from Cape Town to Komani in the Eastern Cape.
Limakatso encouraged women who want to ride motorbikes to start with bicycles before moving to motorcycles.
“We are having the time of our lives in motorcycling. If you respect the machine and avoid reckless riding, it will keep you alive,” she said.
Fellow rider Thandeka Mgoqi started riding her father’s motorbike on a farm while she was still in primary school.
“Biking has no gender in my world,” Thandeka said.
Papinki Lebelo from Club Kasi Rider MCC said new riders must respect their motorbikes and always wear protective gear, including boots and helmets.
“You can lose your life in the snap of a finger if you disrespect it,” he said.
Pictured above: Limakatso Khalianyane fulfilled a childhood promise by becoming a motorbike rider and now dreams of touring Africa.
Image source: Supplied
