Suzuki Auto South Africa is thrilled to announce a two-year partnership with Orlando Pirates Football Club, becoming the official vehicle partner of one of the country’s most iconic football teams.

As part of the agreement, Suzuki will also serve as the Official Premium Sleeve Partner, proudly displaying its logo on the sleeve of the club’s playing kit. The partnership brings together two trusted names with deep roots in South African communities, aiming to drive mutual success both on and off the field.

“We are honoured to align with a club that shares our values of excellence, resilience and community,” says Henno Havenga, GM of Auto Sales and Marketing at Suzuki Auto South Africa. “This partnership represents more than just a branding exercise – it's about connecting with South Africans from all walks of life through the shared passion of football.”

Founded in 1937, Orlando Pirates remains one of the most recognised and successful football clubs on the continent with a trophy cabinet filled with numerous accolades including a total of nine title wins in the Premier Soccer League and 13 in the MTN 8 competition.  

“Our supporters are at the heart of everything we do, and partnerships like this help us move the club forward in ways that resonate beyond matchday,” says Thandi Merafe, Media and PR Manager at Orlando Pirates. “Suzuki is a brand that understands the importance of local connection and national pride – qualities that align closely with what it means to be part of the Orlando Pirates family.”

This dynamic collaboration reflects Suzuki’s growing commitment to engaging with local fans and supporting homegrown sporting talent. In April, the Japanese carmaker announced a multi-year partnership with Cricket South Africa as its official vehicle partner serving both the Official Proteas Men’s and Women’s ODI teams.  

Last year it came onboard as the naming sponsor of the legendary Griqualand West Rugby Union – home of the Griquas – that traces its humble beginnings back to 1886.  

At a grassroots level the top-selling auto brand is currently teamed up with the Humanitarian Empowerment Fund to support a nine-month programme designed to train, develop and shape young talent into Rugby Sevens players. It runs across a selection of schools in Gauteng’s West Rand.  

"So much more than just a game, sport has the unique ability to unite people and drive positive change in communities”, says Havenga. “This is something Suzuki really takes to heart and as such we are looking forward to kick-off this exciting new initiative with one of the giants of South African football. Once a Pirate always a Pirate, up the Bucs!”  

The 8R Cup has been approved as a class for the 2026 regional session. The 8R Cup is a single make series with as close to standard road bikes as possible. The racing will be held in Gauteng with a vision of expanding in years to come as the demand increases. The racing is also as cost effective as possible with a new bike on the grid for as little as R190 000. With only one set of tyres allowed for each round, the costs are under control.

Two 8R Cup bikes will be in action in the “Under 500cc” category at the upcoming race day 16th August at Red Star Raceway. Be sure to come, have a look and chat with the Suzuki team representatives about the series for 2026.

2026 meeting winners will win a set of tyres for the next round and the overall winner of the 2026 season will win tyres for the full 2027 year!

For more information contact Stuart Baker @ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This was the third time we’ve been to this event and, once again, it was memorable to say the least. Riding our long-term GSX-S1000 GX, there, around, and back, was only part of this superb adventure.

The Numbi Hotel in Hazyview was the place of rest and partying, hosting the 100 strong eager crowds. After the 400km first day’s ride we all enjoyed a festive evening with a spectacular buffet type outdoor meal, and soon retreated to bed once fed to the brim.

The next day was obviously the major attraction with a 220km+/- ride through the outstanding scenery around this area of South Africa. Hazel, Damon and his wife Nanette (from www.doctorsbikes.co.za) were virgins to this gathering so we decided to join forces in a quest to win the converted Suzuki Weekend Away first price, which unfortunately we didn’t, ahh well there’s always next year?

Still, it was a perfectly executed experience with the “Dream Team” sending us to various locations to answer questions and participate in games to make us laugh, and argue. The idea was to take the best pictures at each stop, to win points for our group of four, riding two similar GXs. The games began at 9am and concluded at 4pm sharp, if you hadn’t completed by then, tough! The two ladies were certainly glad when we arrived back at Hotel Numbi because their battered buttocks certainly took a beating during the vigorous tour. Damon and myself had no such issues though and felt slightly sorry for their bruised behinds, maybe?

A few drinks later and the pain soon dissolved for them with the assistance of liquid fueled anesthetics. That night was the big crazy party with more brain teasing games, prize giving, and even more delicious chow from the Numbi personal. Like I said, we won nothing, Oh hang on, we did get a lovely long-sleeved t-shirt and a handy Suzuki first aid kit, so at least we went home with something to cherish.

Bitterness aside, from myself at least, we did make new friends and before long everyone was already looking forward to the 2026 event. You’ll certainly need a few days to recover afterwards, well I did. I must enforce it’s not just for Suzuki riders, and there was also an interesting Adventure bike course if you fancy that, as well as the usual road option. You just have to do this event at some point in your life so keep your eye on the Suzuki Bookface page and also on their web site, we’d predict the information to join in will be around Feb/March next year – so see ya there folks!

www.suzukimotorcycle.co.za

Click on: www.hotelnumbi.co.za for accommodation any time of the year.

Also visit: www.dreamteam.co.za and let them construct an exciting event for you too.