RIP Trompies

I was introduced to Trompies by a friend, a fellow biker and member of Sun Riders Mcc -Stanzo. Upon introduction, Trompies realized that I was an independent rider and therefore immediately started educating me about the patch culture. I was immediately sold on the idea and at that very moment decided to join Sun Riders.

When I first met Trompies, he was extremely welcoming and took the time to explain to me everything that was required for me to become a fully patched member of the Sun Riders Motorcycle Club. After this, I was formally introduced to the rest of the Sun Riders family. As we spent more time together, we grew close due to our shared love and passion for biking. Trompies became my mentor and introduced me to the rest of the local, provincial, national, and international biking community. We attended many biking events in Mpumalanga, Kwazulu Natal, Gauteng, Free State, Northern Cape, North West, Polokwane, Swaziland, and Mozambique in support of charity events hosted by other biking clubs in those regions. [Name’s] love and passion for biking was known not only within the biking community, but also in his immediate community. He had a motto of “support 4 support” and always emphasized the importance of taking care of each other. His humble personality earned him favor and protection from many bikers, friends, and business associates when he faced challenges. However, what surprised me the most about Trompies was his ability to remain calm and focused on his goals even in difficult situations.

One of the things that made Trompies leadership style unique was his ability to think things through thoroughly and make decisions without letting his emotions influence him. Eventually, he was elected President of the club and I became the Public Relations Officer. As executive members of the club, we worked closely together and my relationship with Trompies grew stronger. His humility and strong presence made it easy for me to learn from him and become a more dedicated member of the Sun Riders Motorcycle Club. Trompies hard work and dedication to the biking community was evident, and he was soon requested to serve on the executive committee of the Africa Bikers Council

“As Trompies and I continued to work together, we eventually began collaborating on business ventures. Trompies was a true professional and a hard worker, with a calm and level-headed demeanor. He was respected as a man of authority and was known for his free-spirited and friendly personality. He was a people person and enjoyed having fun, always bringing a sense of humor and positivity to any situation. In addition to being loving, caring, and loyal, Trompies was also extremely charitable, committed to helping others and taking care of his family. In fact, there were many families that he supported. He was an advocate of progress and believed in the principle of not putting all of your eggs in one basket, instead preferring to have many different businesses so that if one were to fail, the others could provide support. Trompies was truly a remarkable individual and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.”

Trust, loyalty, respect, and honesty were the foundation of Trompies’ and my friendship. He often asked me to assess the conditions of cars he was considering purchasing, as he was a collector and lover of nice cars. He trusted my judgment and we both knew each other’s tastes and preferences well. It was rare for a week to go by without us checking in with each other. Trompies knew my family and I knew his, and he had a wide network of powerful friends in both the public and private sectors, despite keeping a low profile himself. He didn’t tolerate people who were full of pride and ego and, although he was a prominent figure at many biking events, he was actually a very shy person at heart.

I received the heartbreaking news of Trompies’ passing through our club’s Secretary General, who posted the news in our group chat. At the time, I was busy on my laptop preparing for a charity event that Trompies had asked me to plan, implement, and coordinate. I immediately began calling his family to confirm the news and was in shock when it was confirmed. Everything stopped as I struggled to process what had just happened. I had spoken to Trompies just three hours earlier and couldn’t believe he was gone. Along with the other members of the executive committee, I drove to Trompies’ house in Barbeton from Nelspruit and found his family there. As I drove into the yard and saw all of his cars parked, the reality of the situation hit me hard and I realized that my brother and President was no more.”

All of the plans and discussions Trompies and I had for the future of our businesses and projects suddenly became meaningless with his passing. I am glad that, despite the tragedy, the club and various stakeholders were able to fulfill Trompies last wish of throwing a surprise party for Mathapelo, a woman who was suffering from a heart condition and kidney failure. Mathapelo was a big fan of bikers, especially the Sun Riders Motorcycle Club, and was a philanthropist in her own right.”

We then sat in the family meeting and started assigning each other duties and responsibilities for the preparation of the funeral. Fortunately, with the help and commitment of the family, bikers in and outside South Africa, biking clubs, bikers belonging to different biking forums, lone riders, business associates, the ANC, friends and the community at large, we managed to work together collectively to give a dignified send-off to the President of Sun Riders Mcc.

Acknowledgement :

ABC RAMBO BIKERS OF AFRICA ALPHA BIKERS LIVES MATTER BIKING CLUBS SADC BIKERS 9 PROVINCES 9 DAYS SUN RIDERS MCC MATSANE FAMILY BUSINESS ASSOCIATES ANC ANCYL ANCWL LIGWALAGWALA FM SUPER B MASAKHANE BANGWATO GROUP ABOVE AND BEYOND PRO 76 LOGISTICS SAPS TRAFFIC DEPARTMENT TOPS FUNERALS

We are going to come back stronger as we inherit and carry the legacy of brotherhood and sisterhood, Ubuntu, not forgetting the spirit of support 4 support .Hamba kahle President Thabo Welcome “Trompies” Matsane. Till we meet again