WATCH: Three motorcycle clubs honour late leader Lean van Kranenberg
Lean van Kranenberg was the president of the Steelwings Motorcycle Club.
Members of the Steelwings Lowveld, Airborne Riders, and HOG Nelspruit motorcycle clubs gathered on Saturday, July 19, to commemorate the life of Lean van Kranenberg, who tragically passed away following a motorcycle accident in August 2022.
Van Kranenberg, a respected paratrooper and president of the Steelwings Motorcycle Club, was involved in a serious crash along the R104 near Mbombela. This year marked the second annual remembrance ride in his honour.
Riders from the three clubs first assembled at Duma Country Lodge along the N4, before riding out to the site of the accident – approximately 7km from Mbombela – where a cross bearing Van Kranenberg’s name stands as a memorial.
@lowvelder Members of the Steelwings Lowveld, Airborne Riders and HOG Nelspruit motorcycle clubs converged in remembrance of the late paratrooper, Lean van Kranenberg. #mbombela #motorcycle #steelwings #motorcyclesoftiktok #accident #inremembarance #paratrooper #condolences
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Upon arrival, the bikers dismounted and gathered solemnly at the scene. A moment of silence was observed, and tributes were paid by two of the organisers, Brueton and André van Staden.
“He was a very special friend, and the president of Steelwings,” said Brueton. “He was someone who was loved by everyone – just look at the people who are here today.”
Van Kranenberg had departed from Duma Country Lodge on the evening of August 13, 2022. He lost control of his motorcycle while navigating a curve and collided with a razor fence alongside the road.
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The bike continued along the fence, which pushed Van Kranenberg back until the motorcycle came to a halt, with him lying injured on its side.
The electric fence, which borders a nearby farm, was damaged during the collision, triggering an alarm. Farm workers who responded to the alert discovered Van Kranenberg severely injured, a few metres from the road.
Paramedics stabilised him at the scene and transported him to Mediclinic Nelspruit. He was later airlifted to Netcare Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg, where he remained in intensive care. He passed away on August 28, 15 days after the crash.
“This is why we stand here today – to remember Lean,” Brueton said.
Among those present were Airborne Riders president Van Staden, HOG Nelspruit deputy president and former SAPS brigadier Gerrie Agenbag, and Steelwings Lowveld members including Brueton and Johnny Kerswill.
“We are here to show our love and respect for our hero,” Van Staden said.
Kerswill, a former paratrooper and previous owner of Hi-Tech Security Nelspruit, now heads Pinnacle Risk Management, which carries out high-risk and intelligence operations nationally. He told Lowvelder that honouring fallen paratroopers is a deep-rooted tradition shared by those in their ranks.
Van Staden added that many club members had arrived on Friday, July 18, in preparation for the weekend’s remembrance ride.
