Since childhood, Bohlale’s heart has been consumed by a passion for motorbikes. This fervour may stem from the unbridled and resonant sound of the engines, the commanding rumble of a substantial V-twin, or the harmonious cadence of classic motorcycles.

By Noko Mashilo

The roar of motorcycle engines getting ready to hit the road has always been music to the ears of 9-year-old Bohlale Mafokate, right in the comfort of his home.

It could be the roar of an engine, fierce and untamed, the mighty growl of a massive V-twin, and the earth-shaking, beat-driven symphony of vintage motorcycles that set Bohlale’s heart ablaze with love for motorbikes since he was knee-high to a grasshopper.

His inquisitiveness was sparked by the powerful and captivating sound of motorbikes, leading him to develop a keen interest in them from a very young age. It is not surprising that he has followed in his father’s footsteps, given his early exposure to and fascination with motorbikes.

His father, Zenzy Mafokate, is a former professional racing driver and a passionate biker who used to compete for Isondo Sports 2000. He took part in races to support underprivileged communities and was a teammate of the late Gugu Zulu.

Zenzy said that he bought a pocket bike for his son when he was three years old.

“At the age of four, he began participating in the Super Bike Short Circuit Series at Zwartkops Kart Circuit in Pretoria. Now, at nine years old, he has been competing for five years and has won more than 65 trophies and numerous medals,” Zenzy explained.

In 2019, Bohlale, also known as Littleman in racing circles, achieved a second-place finish in the Novice Championship, a series of races held at various Go Kart tracks across Gauteng, KZN, and Limpopo. Subsequently, in 2020, Bohlale transitioned from racing a Pocket Bike to a Yamaha PW50 and emerged as the champion in the same competition.

Bohlale’s father described him as a resolute individual who remains undeterred by setbacks.

“He always finds a way to work around his mistakes. His technique of racing is inspired by watching a lot of Moto GP where he watches other motorcycle racers. He will study them individually and when we go for training, he will practise their techniques until he finds out what works for him,” explained Zenzy, who also serves as his son’s coach.

He also mentioned that this is where he learns to navigate corners with skill or ride in a straight line. “This is where we refine his ability to lean and use knee sliders. It’s the technique that sets him apart and makes him shine,” explained the proud father.

Bohlale, who is doing his grade three, expressed his desire to become a scientist in the future. He mentioned that while he is unsure about the specifics of being a scientist, he is determined to pursue this career. He also drew a comparison to biking, emphasizing the importance of focus, good eyesight, passion, and having a patient and dedicated coach.

“I am not sure what being a scientist is all about, but I want to be one. For biking one needs to be focused, have good eyesight, passion and the right coach who is patient and dedicated to you all the time,” said Bohlale.

Bohlale, a native of Chiawelo, Soweto, strives for victory in every race in which he participates: “I am happy to win, and I want to race like the Binder brothers and race overseas. That way I will make my coach who is my father proud while putting Mzansi on the map.”

His final competition of the year 2023 took place on November 25th at the Vereeniging Kart Circuit, where he contended for the second position in the Super motor 65cc championship, as he was tied in points with another rider. Despite his efforts, he ultimately finished in third place. Additionally, he secured a third-place finish in the Clubman’s Class Race.

Zenzy said, “We hoped to keep his second position since he has created a body position that complements his riding ability. He leans forward to his handlebars to create arrow dynamics. This helps him with airflow which reduces time per lap. Due to technical challenges, we came third in both races. We will adjust next year and make a huge difference in racing.”

Bohlale’s father mentioned that they were participating in weekly practice sessions to prepare for the upcoming race. Zenzy noted that Bohlale would be riding a Yamaha-sponsored motorbike in the SuperMoto65cc Class for this event.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Zenzy noted that racing activities were halted in compliance with the rules and regulations implemented to mitigate the spread of the virus.

“It was a barrier to keeping fit and training since motor racing is about muscle memory. If you take long off the bike, your body gets distracted. For preparedness, we allowed Bohlale to practise in the yard where he learnt to sharpen his skills to ride on small spaces which is a race craft that he needs. In racing, you need any small space you get.”

During the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, he successfully acquired the expertise in executing knee turns. In 2020, despite the absence of spectator-permitted races, he emerged victorious in the championship and secured the leading position in the Super Bike Short Circuit series.