The highlight on the Classic Motorcycle Club of Natal’s events calendar is their Natal Classic, a Reliability and Regularity Trial over a total distance of approximately 500km for motorcycles that are at least 20 years old. The 2016 event in May was a great success. It saw several riders from all over Southern Africa competing in the beautiful area near Golden Gate, Clarens, Ladysmith, Winterton and Spioenkop.

At the prize giving dinner, Ginty Melvill (Zambian member of the FIM AFRICA Touring Commission and also an accredited FIM AFRICA Environmental Steward) took the initiative to address the riders and guests, from the podium. He introduced FIM and FIM AFRICA, as the world and African controlling bodies of all motorcycle sport respectively, and gave a brief introduction to the importance of World Environmental Day on the 5th of June, and its elected subject "STOP POACHING ". He also referred to illegal wildlife trade and asked each and every one to spare a thought for the Rhino and Elephant populations in particular in Southern Africa, on that day, and the efforts being made to protect these endangered species. He urged the riders and their respective clubs to please do something positive about the poaching problem, even if only to make a modest donation to the local cause, wherever they live, and to create awareness with their families and friends.

Ginty’s address was well received by all present. FIM AFRICA would like to thank him for his proactiveness and passion. Leisure and touring riding is extremely popular in Africa. These motorcyclists appreciate nature and we are confident that Ginty’s short lecture will encourage others to launch initiatives to draw attention to the fact that many wildlife species are threatened in Africa.