After being involved in different charity projects in the country over the past three years, the Eenghoshi Bikers Club recently forged ties with international biker clubs to support Namibia’s young entertainment talent.
The club recently hosted its first ‘Sapa Yopa Tour’ even in Makfikeng, South Africa, where they gave opportunities to two local Afro-pop artists – Patrick Sikiliza and Samuel Shines – to showcase their talents.
The two singers performed alongside well-known South African stars Kwesta, DJ Tira and the Qwabe Twins, and closed off the show as the international acts for the night.
Samuel Shines says performing in front of a large crowd was exhilarating.
“I had never performed for a crowd of nearly 50 000 people. The experience combined nervous excitement with a sense of adventure. The truth is, I felt a rush of energy and anticipation, with my heart pounding and adrenaline pumping.”
He says forming a connection with the diverse, enthusiastic audience amplified his joy of making music, which created an unforgettable, electric atmosphere that left a lasting impact.
“The crowd’s response was overwhelmingly positive. The fans kept their eyes on me, danced with me throughout and demanded more. The only nerve-wracking moment was when a group of female fans grabbed my hand in an attempt to shake it and they nearly pulled me off the stage.”
He says the exposure provided him with the opportunity to connect with new fans and broaden his fan base.
Club president Tuhafeni Jekonia says biking has for a long time been a community consisting of only adrenaline junkies and rev fanatics, but the community has levelled up to support local talents.
“In this modern day and age, biking has evolved into socially responsible communities that dedicate time and resources to charity drives, community outreach, youth empowerment, entertainment and also offering support for local businesses in different parts of our continent,” says Jekonia.
Although relatively new, Jekonia says the Eenghoshi Bikers Club is the first bikers club in Namibia to reform traditional biking by including non-bikers in its membership.
“To some, it may appear the form of biking is diluted, however, biking events have repeatedly changed people’s lives in our communities.”
Jekonia says the new programme for supporting talents will also see local pageant queen Martha Kautenavali competing in the Miss Earth pageant this year, also supported by the team.
“Her purpose is to raise environmental awareness among the biking community.”
Kautenavali is also currently running a project called Miss Earth Loves Trees. In her advocacy, she implores bikers to plant more trees to preserve the ozone layer.
Jekonia says the club also plans to have four artists perform in Angola next year at the ‘Nomadas La Fiesta’ anniversary to be held in the Benguela province in February 2024.
“This platform not only creates an Africa without boundaries, but it also provides new markets for various industries,” he says.
“Biking in general can create many opportunities for economies through motorcycle tourism. With biking festivals occurring almost all year, there is no doubt that biking contributes to the gross domestic product. By forging ties with clubs all over Africa, we are guaranteed networking platforms for athletes, musicians and artists, as well as business owners,” says Jekonia.
Similar events can also help the motorsports industry achieve its full potential, he adds.
The Eenghoshi Bikers Club also intend to host similar biker events in Namibia next March and April, which they say will draw attention to the beautiful country’s diverse cultures and breath-taking landscapes.
“These events will feature motorsports across the board, including drifters, go-karters, and racers around the SADC region.”
The club has received three trophies for the longest distance travelled in the past: Tshwane Legend Club in South Africa, Three Chiefs in Botswana, and Sapa Yopa from South Africa.
The club is currently running two charity projects: the Miss Eenghoshi Foundation, a mentorship programme for aspiring models and pageant queens, with Miss Eenghoshi providing a platform for women to take on leadership roles while still young. It is also a tool for women’s empowerment.
Another programme includes the Havana Charity Foundation, a soup kitchen that runs every Saturday and feeds the children of the Havana informal settlement. Other than meals, this project also focuses on providing educational programmes to children struggling in school.
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