POLOKWANE – The roaring sounds of motorbikes reverberated through Polokwane as over 5 000 bikers participated in the 16th annual Sapa Yopa MCC rally, making the City of Stars come to a standstill last weekend.

The event, which culminated in a charity mass-ride to the Limpopo Anti-Drugs Gangsterism and Crime (Ladgag) Centre in Seshego Zone 3, was a spectacle that captivated the city and highlighted the bikers’ commitment to charitable causes.

The Sapa Yopa MCC rally, which started on the Thursday, kicked off with a golf day and a gala dinner, bringing together bikers from across South Africa and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.

The Friday, bikers were treated to a pre-party featuring performances by local artists such as Alostro. The highlight of the weekend was the charity mass-ride on Saturday, where bikers rode to Ladgag, where they supported initiatives aimed at fighting drugs, gangsterism, and crime in the area.

The weekend festivities culminated on Sunday with an All-White Party at Cofi, featuring the popular musician Vusi Nova. The event was a fitting farewell for the bikers from the SADC region and local enthusiasts.

Sapa Yopa MCC president Antonio Pico Santana Martins expressed pride in the success of the rally, saying this year’s event was even bigger than those of previous years.

“We had over 3 000 bikes in the mass ride, and 5 000 bikes in the city of Polokwane this year, which makes us incredibly proud. Sapa Yopa MCC continues to be the centre of attraction when it comes to bike events,” said Martins.

He also highlighted the charity’s focus for the year, focusing on the fight against drugs and gender-based violence.

“We are committed to supporting programmes that keep our kids away from drugs and provide them with a better life,” he added.