Saturday’s events at the GS Trophy 2022 Qualifier South Africa culminated in the announcement of Team South Africa, destined to compete in the International GS Trophy 2022 in Albania
After the activity of the first full day of Qualifier action on Friday, the competitors were keen to catch up on some sleep ahead of another busy schedule on the final day. Just after midnight, though, the night air was pierced by sirens summoning the competitors from their tents to their motorcycles for two more night-time exercises.
They were back in their tents two hours later, only to be woken again at 05:00 for a skills test in the bush. This proved to the warm-up exercise before a hearty breakfast, whereafter the competitors continued with several sand exercises, and tackled challenges to test their resilience on steep hills and corners. One of the exercises played out at the dreaded Wall of Life at the CountryTRAX facility, a deep circular pit set at an angle of about 60 degrees that tested the competitors’ nerves, while battling gravity and a tricky entry and exit point – keeping their motorcycles upright.
The competitors were kept busy until the late afternoon, after which time it was the turn of the GS Trophy 2022 Qualifier South Africa marshals to tally the day’s scores.
Saturday evening’s dinner was followed by the final points ceremony and the announcement of Team South Africa that will compete in the International GS Trophy 2022 in Albania.
Team South Africa for the 2022 competition is: Gerrit du Toit (Limpopo), Dalton de Bruin (Free State), and Warren Venter (Gauteng).
Christelle van der Meulen and Hanneli Zondagh were the highest-ranking ladies after the GS Trophy 2022 Qualifier South Africa. The International GS Trophy 2022 organisers now have the task of determining who will compete in the final women’s teams, based on the global entries received. The announcement of the official ladies’ teams to compete in the International GS Trophy 2022 in Albania will follow.
All-in-all, the weekend’s activities near Amersfoort in Mpumalanga again demonstrated the breadth of skill held by GS riders in South Africa. Once the weekend celebrations taper off, preparations will begin in earnest in the hunt for a fourth consecutive International GS Trophy win.
A BMW veteran who has been with the group for 20 years, Deena Govender has vast experience in various divisions across the company and the auto manufacturing sector as a whole.
BMW Group South Africa & Sub-Saharan Africa has appointed Deena Govender as the new Head of Product Communications. Mr. Govender will take responsibility for overall steering, as operational lead, the Corporate Communications and Government Affairs for BMW Group South Africa & Sub-Saharan Africa, until further notice.
Mr Govender joined the company in 2001, after completing his Master’s Degree in Engineering, and has filled various positions in Engineering Development, Production, Sales & Marketing, Customer Relations and Retail Network Development at BMW Group Germany and South Africa. The unique insights and experiences he has been exposed to in these positions will prove valuable in his new role.
I am honoured to take on the new role and am looking forward to engaging with all our stakeholders. I
Having worked on BMW’s hybrid-electric vehicles engineering development projects and having served as the BMW i Market Manager in South Africa during the launch of BMW i, electro- and future mobility is one of his key areas of expertise and interest. Deena plans to use his wealth of expertise to drive success for BMW Group South Africa and the rest of the country.
He expressed his excitement at the appointment, “I am honoured to take on the new role and am looking forward to engaging with all our stakeholders. I have had the privilege of working in a number of positions across the business, and have been able to learn from each. These lessons, combined with great relationships within the BMW Group, will enable me to fulfil my duties in the years ahead. Likewise, I will rely on my colleagues’ market knowledge and expertise to make the most of the opportunities along the way.”
Aligned to the BMW Group’s global approach and CEO Peter van Binsbergen’s vision, navigating the pandemic and ensuring business continuity will remain top of mind for the South African team. This calls for new levels of flexibility and collaboration, striving to deliver a world-class experience to all stakeholders.
Under the leadership and guidance of Mr van Binsbergen, Mr Govender’s appointment will bolster BMW Group South Africa as they further extend their segment leadership and continue to positively impact communities through CSI programmes under the umbrella of “We Build More Than Just Cars”.
BMW is relying on SportContact 6 tyres from Continental as original equipment for the new M4. The new BMW M4 Competition Convertible with M xDrive will be available in South Africa from the fourth quarter of 2021.
BMW is relying on SportContact 6 tyres from Continental as original equipment for the new M4.
The SportContact 6 has been developed in particular for sporty vehicles and is especially designed for handling, precision and driving stability at high speeds.
As the only point of contact between the vehicle and the road, tyres play an essential role in providing an optimal driving experience without compromise.
– Dr Holger Lange, head of tyre development for Continental’s original equipment business
In addition, it has been rated best in the EU tyre label in the wet grip category, meaning that it is particularly convincing in terms of braking performance on wet roads. Continental received global approvals for the dimensions 275/40 ZR18 (103Y) XL and 285/35 ZR19 (103Y) XL.
“As the only point of contact between the vehicle and the road, tyres play an essential role in providing an optimal driving experience without compromise,” said Dr Holger Lange, head of tyre development for Continental’s original equipment business. “Our engineers develop OE tyres that perfectly match the respective vehicle model and thus optimally support the car’s performance. To capture the specific requirements, Continental works closely with vehicle manufacturers on tyre development.”
Hot on the heels of the original BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé comes, the second-generation model which is due to be launched in South Africa in the fourth quarter of 2021
Zanele McMurray, aka Leidee Zee, has a long standing love for cruisers but only one machine had alluded her, the BMW R 18. When the opportunity arose for her to ride it, she didn’t hesitate to pull on her leathers and take it for a spin.
I had the pleasure of riding the eye-catching BMW R 18 at the 15thInternational Female Ride Day on the 1stof May 2021. I knew I would enjoy it but boy oh boy was I in for a treat!
Steeped in the tradition of historical BMW motorcycles in terms of technical features and design cues, the R 18 is an undeniably beautiful piece of mechanical artwork.
As my eyes greedily gobbled up my first up-close sighting of the BMW R 18, the first feature they rested upon, was the BMW R 18’s sleek chrome exhaust pipe closely followed by its strikingly large LED headlight.
Thereafter my gaze took in the epicenter of my ride for the day, the BMW R 18’s newly developed 2-cylinder boxer engine that is both intimidating and attractive at the same time. Finally, I paid attention to the big comfortable seat which I appreciated very much.
As a lady standing at 1,64m tall, the BMW R 18’s 690mm seat height gave me further confidence that I would be able to easily handle the cruiser, even though it has a wet weight of 345kg.
– Zanele McMurray
As a lady standing at 1,64m tall, the BMW R 18’s 690mm seat height gave me further confidence that I would be able to easily handle the cruiser, even though it has a wet weight of 345kg. Assured by a combination of the cruiser’s seat height and its low suspension I channeled my inner “Boss Lady” and felt a charge of excitement for the ride ahead.
Another feature I liked about the BMW R 18 is that It has a keyless start function
– ZANELE MCMURRAY
The BMW R 18 comes standard with three ride modes – Rain, Rock, and Roll, which, depending on the terrain, greatly assist with stability control and throttle response.
Another feature I liked about the BMW R 18 is that It has a keyless start function. This takes away the panic of losing the key, which I can attest is be a big plus among female riders as we need to fit countless other things into our small bags and pockets.
When it comes to power the BMW R 18 does not disappoint. Fitted with a 4-stroke, 2-cylinder, horizontally opposed engine the cruiser holds its own in terms of speed, ride quality, stable and comfortable. Powered by its 67kW, 158Nm 1802cc engine I found myself gliding effortlessly amidst the numerous motorcycles commandeered by the hundreds of women bikers participating in the South African leg of the international ride.
Astride my brutish ride, the BMW R 18 felt much lighter in motion than when stationary. I found that the cruiser’s wide tyres (Front: 2.5 x 19 / Rear: 5.0 x 16) also helped maintain the bike’s traction. Other key highlights about the R 18 include Hill Start Control and Reverse Assist, both of which make maneuverability much easier and convenient.
As a female rider, I would recommend this beautiful beast of a bike. It is a dream to ride and if affordability isn’t an issue, I would go as far as saying this cruiser is a must-have. As gigantic as the R 18 looks it is just an adorable and playful puppy that offers an exciting yet cultivated riding experience.
That said, the only black mark I have against the BMW R 18 is the fact that it does not have a fuel gauge indicator, something I sincerely hope BMW Motorrad sees fit to add in the updated models of these otherwise impressive bikes.
Price: R 319 900-00
Thanks to BMW Motorrad Fourways for the bike loan
About Zanele McMurray Zanele
McMurray is a female motorcycle rider and mother of two teenage girls, with 15-years riding experience to her name. Her first bike was a Honda VFR 400cc and over the years she has and ridden various motorcycles including a Honda 750cc Shadow, Thunderbird 1700cc, 2 Suzuki Hayabusas, a Suzuki Boulevard 800cc, a Honda CBR 1000 and a Sukuzi B-King. Zanele is passionate about cancer awareness and has been part of cancer awareness groups such as Journey of Hope and Cancervive.
Motorcyclist journalist Bongiwe Didiza took part in the 15th International Female Ride Day astride a bike she had long wanted to ride.
I had marked the 1stof May on my calendar as International Female Ride Day (IFRD), the only day in the year which celebrates women motorcyclists from all walks of life. For me, the 2021 Ride was going to be particularly exciting because the motorbike I would be riding, the BMW R nineT Pure, is one I have been drawn to for quite a while.
First introduced in 2013, the R nineT range has grown to include the R nineT Urban G/S, the R nineT Scrambler, and the R nineT Pure. Sporting a combination of classic design meets modern technological invention, the R nine T derivatives carry the signature BMW roadster styling cues, reminiscent of early BMW Motorrad days.
Also fetching their rides at the same time were Zanele McMurray and Crescentia Ndimande
– Bongiwe Didiza, motorcycle journalist, DRIVING IN HEELS
I collected my loan motorbike from BMW Motorrad Fourways, two days prior to the Ride. I wanted a bit of time to get used to its features ahead of the big day. Looking at it, I was struck by its stylish vintage design, which complement its seemingly playful look.
At first glance, the air/oil-cooled, 1170Cc boxer engine of the R nineT Pure didn’t look like much, which made it all the more difficult to believe it could produce 81kW of power and 116 Nm of torque.
Also ferching their rides at the same time were Zanele McMurray who would be riding the BMW R 18, and Crescentia Ndimande who had chosen the the BMW F 900 XR.
Following a brief meeting with the dealer principal – Rodney Serfontein, and a bike orientation, we took possession of the keys for our respective bikes and rode out of the dealership.
As usual when I am on a bike, I have a gigantic smile under my helmet but while I was cheerfully enjoying my ride home a warning light came up on the circular instrument cluster.
When I arrived at home, I gave it a quick check, hoping I might spot the problem. Satisfied that everything looked fine to me, but opting to err on the safe side, I made arrangements to take it back for an assessment the following day.
I had not known that the R nineT Pure did not have a fuel gauge indicator.
– BONGIWE DIDIZA, MOTORCYCLE JOURNALIST, DRIVING IN HEELS
Arriving at Motorrad Fourways, Sales Executive Gift Gumbi whisked the motorbike into the workshop but returned almost immediately. He was in stitches, laughing hysterically and between bursts of fresh laughter he spluttered that the warning light was the fuel light indicator and that the bike was very low on fuel.
When he had calmed down reasonably enough to hear me, I tried – with little success – to explain why I had misinterpreted the fuel icon. Of course I know what a low fuel icon light looks like but the R nineT Pure does not have the standard icon we are familiar with in a car.
Added to that, I had not known that the R nineT Pure did not have a fuel gauge indicator; instead, its warning light is a simple triangular orange light.
The more I tried to explain my rationale to Gift, the more he laughed and teased me
– BONGIWE DIDIZA, MOTORCYCLE JOURNALIST, DRIVING IN HEELS
If there was a fuel guage I would probably have noticed that the fuel was low and may have made a connection between the warning light and the low fuel indicator.
The more I tried to explain my rationale to Gift, the more he laughed and teased me. Suffice to say, the experience taught me 2 things; the first being just how basic the R nine T Pure is and the other being that I will probably never live down this ‘oopsie’.
On a positive note, the blunder taught me that the R nineT Pure has a 17-litre tank and consumes 5-litres per 100kms. As I rode home, still chuckling to myself in disbelief, I was immensely grateful that the bike had not completely run out of fuel, leaving me stranded and bewildered at the side of the road.
Arriving at our meeting venue, I couldn’t help but notice how stunning the ladies looked, most of whom wore gear matching their rides.
– BONGIWE DIDIZA, MOTORCYCLE JOURNALIST, DRIVING IN HEELS
From then on, I became acutely aware of just how basic the R nineT Pure is and soon realised it does not come standard with my favourtie creature comforts being riding modes, heated grips, and cruise control. That said, heated grips and cruise control are available as optional extras which customers can fit at will.
Putting the humbling moment firmly behind me, I eagerly awaited IFRD. Organized by The Lithas , the 2021 Ride comprised of two routes, on an on-road. Had I not chosen to ride the sexy little roadster, I would have elected to ride on gravel.
The long anticipated day arrived, uncharacteristically accompanied by light winds and drizzle. Undettered, I headed out and arrived at Triumph Motocycles, Sandton, our meeting venue. The ladies looked stunning on their machines, most wearing riding gear that matched their bikes.
Excited to be reunited with female riders I had not seen in a long time due to lockdown regulations, we mingled, enjoyed the delicious welcome refreshments, posed for photos, and signed the event day banner.
The formalites and safety briefing dispensed with and the weather clearing up, the ladies got into formation and rode to our first stopover – Fire it Up in Randburg, then onto ROC Harley Davidson in Alberton where we were received with excitement, refreshments and gifts.
Even in the sea of other beautiful motorcycles, I was aware of motorists admiring my R nineT Pure as they drove past us.
– BONGIWE DIDIZA, MOTORCYCLE JOURNALIST, DRIVING IN HEELS
The Ride was leisurely and the ladies maintained a steady pace. I was amazed at how smooth my bike rode even at such low speeds. It cornered beautifully and maintained its balance.
Even in the sea of other beautiful motorcycles, I was aware of motorists admiring my R nineT as they drove past us. It had already caused a stir from the start of the day, and at each stopover. My fellow lady Pure riders truly appreciated it, commenting on its unique and classical good-looks. A few ladies who own more than one bike expressed a desire to add it to their existing motorbike collection because of its sassy beauty.
The R nineT Pure is a no-frills, “shut-up & ride” sort of bike.
– BONGIWE DIDIZA, MOTORCYCLE JOURNALIST, DRIVING IN HEELS
At our final destination, Bikers Warehouse in Randburg, a stunning high tea had been setup for us to mark the close of a safe and successful Ride as well as recognize and celebrate the Biker Queens we all are.
The R nineT Pure is as its name suggests a no-frills, “shut-up & ride” sort of bike. As basic as it is, it offers absolute riding pleasure and is aimed at anyone on the market looking for an uncomplicated motorbike.
That said, it is a very capable machine and is suited for leisurely trips to scenic destinations or unhurried rides around suburbia for a coffee meeting with the girls. It is the type of bike I ride to attend a vintage motorbike show. Similarly, I would pack it onto a train for use to tour the Garden Route in summer.
The R nineT Pure I was riding is powered by a four-stroke, two-cylinder horizontally opposed boxer engine and is available at BMW Motorrad Fourways at R145 000. It is a 2018 model wrapped in Option 719 colors.
If however, you are looking to buy a newer R nineT Pure, the 2021 derivatives come with the following standard features:
80kW power, 116Nm of torque
Road and Rain riding modes
ABS Pro with Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)
LED headlight and white LED indicators
New suspension strut with travel-dependent damping (WAD)
Priced from R203 400-00
About Bongiwe Didiza
About Bongiwe Didiza Bongiwe Didiza is a motorcyclist with 10 years riding experience on various type of motorcycles; ranging from superbikes and cruisers to dual-purpose and adventure bikes. She is the first Black female motorcycle journalist registered with the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists. Bongiwe is the biking contributor for Driving In Heels where her test ride reviews and bike travel articles are published. She currently rides an R 1200 GSA but has owned a Suzuki GSX-R 750 and a BMW F 800 GS in the past.
Thank you so much for being part of the Toyota Agya episode Vuyi. It came out fantastic!
– Zimkhita Kweza, Junior Producer, Ignition GT
The next episode of Ignition GT featuring our Editor Vuyi Mpofu debuts on Saturday 10th April at 10:30am on DSTV channel 189.
In the full episode she shares her thoughts on the frugal city runner from Toyota, the Agya, laments about not attending the BMW M3 launch and shares the full unofficial (and ‘secret’) street name for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
Day 5 changed the 2020 GS Trophy in a big way as the South Island served up a sizable new challenge: mountains! As promised, the riding intensity had been raised to a new level.
The morning started with a steep and winding 20km rocky climb up Mount Richmond. The riders travelled through forest which took them above the cloud base before reaching the 754m Maungatapu Saddle where they found the first test of the day: the Emirates Challenge.
In this test all the riders had to navigate tricky trials between the rocks and bush while remembering three key flight details to be relayed to the marshal at the finish: flight number, boarding time and seat number!
The ride down the mountain was no less tricky and for sure the riders were grateful for the coffee stop in Nelson (the capital of the Tasman Bay region), known for its spectacular sea fishing as much as the local fruit and wine cultures.
However, the coffee break was soon forgotten when the riders found themselves fighting their way up and over yet another mountain. This one was even more technical than the first.
After a tough morning, the afternoon took on a more reflective attitude as the riders got to enjoy the spectacular ride on highway through the Gorge, to come out upon the west coast and the Tasman Sea. Here the riders found a stunning ocean road bordered by limestone cliffs and rainforest dotted with New Zealand’s unique and beautiful Nikau palm trees.
The riders´ final destination was Punakaiki Beach were they embarked on the second test of the day: the Rab Challenge. This test brought many a laugh as the teams had to run across the beach, remove their boots, unpack and climb into their Rab sleeping bag, then reverse out, pack the bag, slip on their boots and run back to their next teammate.
The teams participating in the 2020 GS Trophy arrived to the beauty of the natural thermal springs of Oceania New Zealand. Their bikes were waiting, their riding kit unpacked and their tents had been pitched, all in anticipation for the start of the seventh BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy.
After long haul flights from different parts of the world, you’d be forgiven for thinking that jet lag would have gotten the better of the participants taking part in the 2020 International GS Trophy. But, the excitement of registering for the event, taking possession of (and making personal adjustments to) their BMW F 850 GS motorcycles easily trumped their exhaustion.
With ‘admin’ things out of the way, the group got into the spirit of the New Zealand way of life, starting with an introduction to the culture of the indigenous Maori people. This included the traditional challenge to newcomers – the world famous haka.
For me, in the true spirit we share our passion for GS and allow it to take us places new and old and Make Life a Ride
– Cobus Theron, Team South Africa, 2020 International GS Trophy participant
22 teams from 25 nations had registered to compete in the 2020 event, including four new teams, and two International Female Teams. All were extremely keen to join the International GS Trophy brother-and sister-hood. A road less travelled. What lay ahead of the riders, was eight days and around 2400km of adventure riding – traversing both the North and South Islands. Approximately 60% of the route would be off-road, while the remaining 40%, would be quiet roads that lead through incredible landscapes.
I believe the greatest challenge will be not to forget to enjoy the moment
– BJ Vosloo, TEAM SOUTH AFRICA, 2020 INTERNATIONAL GS TROPHY PARTICIPANT
The route started in Rotorua, close to the centre of the North Island, an area of active volcanic activity, and ended in the alpine ski-resort of Queenstown deep in the South Island. Along the way the participants would get to enjoy the nature and culture of the remote islands while facing daily challenges that count toward the competition.
Overall director of the Int. GS Trophy, Ralf Rodepeter (head of brand and product at BMW Motorrad) was delighted with the venue and format of this year’s competition: “I love the Int. GS Trophy, it’s a wonderful ride and so much fun, but what I like most is seeing the people connect.
I look forward to completely submerging myself in a new culture and being able to challenge myself and push my skills and abilities to new heights
– Brandon Jason Grimsted, team SOUTH AFRICA, 2020 INTERNATIONAL GS TROPHY PARTICIPANT
Every day the teams are mixed so they ride every time with new nationalities and they’ll have an adventurous experience together, which creates this bond and understanding. Bringing in teams from North Africa and the Middle East this year is especially exciting, so we can honestly say we have riders from all over the world and all walks of life. And this is the spirit of the GS, bringing diverse peoples and cultures together, learning about each other and discovering and enjoying the nature, playing and adventuring,” he said.
Team South Africa:
No: 251, Rider: Cobus Theron, Age: 28, Hometown: Tulbagh, Occupation: Farmer Quote: “A few years ago, the Spirit of GS didn’t have the meaning that it does today after getting involved with the Trophy and the closer GS community. For me, in the true spirit we share our passion for GS and allow it to take us places new and old and Make Life a Ride!”
No: 252, Rider: BJ Vosloo, Age: 34, Hometown: Cape Town, Occupation: Industrial architect Quote: “I believe the greatest challenge will be not to forget to enjoy the moment. The International GS Trophy journey is most definitely not easy. It takes hard work, massive determination and an attitude not to forget about your goals set to yourself. You have to be willing to sacrifice some things in life to achieve great things. Every rider that has qualified in the past will know this.”
No: 253, Rider: Brandon Jason Grimsted, Age: 20, Hometown: Fouriesburg, Occupation: Commercial driver Quote: “I look forward to completely submerging myself in a new culture and being able to challenge myself and push my skills and abilities to new heights, all whilst exploring the incredibly beautiful and diverse terrain that New Zealand has to offer.”
Education is the motor that drives our society and prepares the economy for the future
– Iika Horstmeier, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Human Resources of BMW Group
Midrand, South Africa – BMW SA will build a brand-new school in Ga-Rankuwa. The R113m school will accommodate 1600 pupils from grade RRR to Grade 12, and supports the company’s vision of life-long learning.
The new school will close the gap between the company’s Early Learning Centre at Plant Rosslyn and its graduate and training programmes, and makes the concept of life-long learning with BMW possible.
The investment underlines BMW Group South Africa’s continued commitment to education and to the communities of Soshanguve and Ga-Rankuwa, where so many BMW Group Plant Rosslyn associates live. In co-operation with the Gauteng Department of Education a site has been located and construction is expected to begin in 2021.
BMW Group SA is currently reaching out to education experts to partner with us on the project. Fees at the school will be benchmarked to other schools in the area and linked to average incomes in the neighbourhood the school will serve.
Education at the heart of BMW Group SA’s commitment to South Africa
Education, training and skills development are at the heart of BMW Group’s activities in South Africa. In 2018 year the company opened a R73m Training Academy at Plant Rosslyn, and at Midrand head office in April 2019, a brand-new R109m Dealer Training Centre was opened to support our retail network partners.
We have a dream of people taking their life-long journey of education with BMW, from pre-school to a graduate programme and on-the-job learning
– Tim Abbott, CEO: BMW Group South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa
Additionally, BMW Group South Africa is handing over 20 BMW X3s to schools, universities and science centres around the country. The first car was handed over to Soshanguve Automotive School of Specialisation in May 2019, with another six following over the course of 2019. The remaining cars will be distributed over the course of the year.
A long-term commitment to Education in South Africa
“Education is the motor that drives our society and prepares the economy for the future” emphasized Ilka Horstmeier, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Human Resources of BMW Group.
Tim Abbott, CEO: BMW Group South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa said this was “one of the most exciting projects we’ve ever embarked upon in this country”.
“We have a dream of people taking their life-long journey of education with BMW, from pre-school to a graduate programme and on-the-job learning. We’ve supported more than 140 schools across the country over the years, but this project plugs that gap permanently,” Mr Abbott said.The BMW Group is committed to improving education worldwide.
In a global crisis like the Corona pandemic, solidarity matters more than anything else
– Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of management of BMW Group
Midrand, South Africa – BMW’s contribution to the fight against the spread of Covid-19 stepped up a gear today. In a virtual signing ceremony, CEO BMW AG Mr Oliver Zipse, Federal Minister Economic Cooperation and Development in Germany, Mr Gerd Müller together with Professor Mkhululi Lukhele: Head of Department Gauteng Department of Health, and Tim Abbott, CEO BMW South Africa, announced upgrades to eight hospitals and four clinics, in three provinces – Gauteng, North West and Limpopo.
Improvements will include the upgrade for the Soshanguve Combined Clinic, near the company’s Rosslyn manufacturing plant, to a testing and screening centre. The company has provided a fully equipped ambulance and cars for transporting patients to the various hospitals in the region.
At Dr George Mukhari Hospital in Soshanguve, the Accident and Emergency facilities will be significantly upgraded and 300 beds added.
An additional 300 beds will be added across the region, with a further 150-bed overflow facility to be provided in Bronkhorstspruit. Supplementary to this, four community clinics in Soshanguve will be provided with a supply of face masks, disinfectant and PPE.
The project in Gauteng is part of our Corona response program
-GERD MÜLLER, Federal Minister Economic Development
Speaking at the signing of a memorandum of understanding, Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of management of BMW Group said “In a global crisis like the Corona pandemic, solidarity matters more than anything else. We help where help is particularly needed. That is why, in cooperation with the Federal Ministry of Development and the South African Government, we support the development of the health infrastructure at our site in Gauteng.”
Effective assistance at the right time.
Federal Minister Economic Development, Gerd Müller, said “The project in Gauteng is part of our Corona response program, which we use to combat not only the health crisis, but also the severe economic crisis in South Africa. Here companies that are represented locally like the BMW Group are important partners in German development policy.”
We’re providing BMW X3s built here in Rosslyn to help transport patients as well
– Tim Abbott, CEO: BMW Group South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa
Local partners make it all possible.
Tim Abbott, CEO: BMW Group South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, said the plan was to intervene in an area of need at the most critical time.
“I’m pleased we are able to co-operate with the German government in a R76m investment into eight hospitals and four community clinics across three provinces. We will provide 750 beds, an ambulance, an upgrade to Accident and Emergency facilities, additional testing and screening facilities to support our communities when they need it the most. We’re providing BMW X3s built here in Rosslyn to help transport patients as well. We build more than just cars and we need international solidarity and governments working together with the private sector during a global crisis. Together we can fight this crisis.”
“We’ve been building cars in Rosslyn for almost five decades. We’re part of this country and we’re committed to its future. More than at any time I can remember, now is the time society needs pool its resources.”
Ongoing targeted assistance.
In April, BMW South Africa responded the call for help from the Gauteng Department of Health for donations of face masks and other protective gear for emergency services personnel.
In response, the company handed over 40 000 high-quality protective respiratory (FFP2) face masks to the department in order to help protect health services workers.
In May, BMW South Africa loaned 17 cars – mainly BMW X3s built at Rosslyn – to the Red Cross, to assist them with contact tracing and the delivery of hot meals, food parcels and the dissemination of information in rural and marginalised communities.
Seamless servicing of essential services vehicles.
Many essential services use BMW Group vehicles and it has been important to the success of the national lockdown that these people have remained mobile. Specified BMW retail partners have stayed open across the country throughout the lockdown to ensure the quick and effective servicing of these vehicles. Now, under Level Four lockdown, all BMW service centres are open for business.
This has meant that vehicles driven by the South African Police Services, Metro Police departments, medical personnel and the private vehicles of essential services workers have had the servicing and roadside assistance support they have required from the outset of the lockdown.
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He expressed his excitement at the appointment, “I am honoured to take on the new role and am looking forward to engaging with all our stakeholders. I have had the privilege of working in a number of positions across the business, and have been able to learn from each. These lessons, combined with great relationships within the BMW Group, will enable me to fulfil my duties in the years ahead. Likewise, I will rely on my colleagues’ market knowledge and expertise to make the most of the opportunities along the way.” 
Astride my brutish ride, the BMW R 18 felt much lighter in motion than when stationary. I found that the cruiser’s wide tyres (Front: 2.5 x 19 / Rear: 5.0 x 16) also helped maintain the bike’s traction. Other key highlights about the R 18 include Hill Start Control and Reverse Assist, both of which make maneuverability much easier and convenient. 
Excited to be reunited with female riders I had not seen in a long time due to lockdown regulations, we mingled, enjoyed the delicious welcome refreshments, posed for photos, and signed the event day banner. 
The R nineT Pure I was riding is powered by a four-stroke, two-cylinder horizontally opposed boxer engine and is available at BMW Motorrad Fourways at R145 000. It is a 2018 model wrapped in Option 719 colors. 
