Round 4 of the South African Cross Country Championship revved into action this past weekend in the breathtaking lowlands of Lesotho, and our incredible lady riders stole the spotlight!
Maphoka Matekane charged through the SNR 85cc class to claim an impressive 8th place, proudly collecting a trophy on behalf of her brother who finished 2nd but couldn’t attend the ceremony.
Zaria Fourie showed true grit and skill in the Provincial OR3 class, tackling the challenging terrain like a pro.
A massive shoutout to both of these powerhouse riders for flying the flag high and proving that determination knows no limits!
This is Maphoka Matekane rider 444 who ended up 8th in the Snr 85cc class.
For Lalà Rasanjison, motorcycling is not just a sport. It is freedom, community, and a way to create change in Madagascar. She first got on the grid in 2005, taking part in her first motocross event. What began as a thrill quickly grew into a lifelong passion for offroad, enduro, and adventure riding. Almost twenty years later she is still out there, helmet on, making her mark on the track and in the way the sport is understood.
Motorcycling gave her more than speed. It gave her a mission. In 2025 she graduated from the FIM Future Leaders Programme, an experience that gave her the tools to push harder for women in motorcycling and for sustainability in the sport. She has long believed that motorcycles can be both adventurous and responsible, showing that competition and care for the environment do not have to be opposites.
In Madagascar’s offroad scene, Lalà has become a strong voice for change. She has promoted sustainable practices in motocross and enduro events, while also using adventure tourism to connect motorbiking with culture and landscapes. Since 2005 she has run Au Bivouac Guesthouse in Antsirabe, where she designs tours that mix motorcycling with hiking and local discovery.
Her path has also taken her into public service. Between 2022 and 2024 she was Regional Director of Tourism and Crafts, using her role to bring sport and tourism closer together. Before that she led the Environmental Department in Vakinankaratra, driving reforestation and conservation work. And through community projects like “Sauver Andraikiba,” which aims to protect Lake Andraikiba, she has shown how the values of riding discipline, responsibility, and passion can spill over into everyday life
Academically, she has a background in economics, management, and social sciences, and she speaks four languages. But ask her what has shaped her most and she will point back to the motorcycle. The discipline, the camaraderie, the sheer thrill of it that is where her leadership was forged.
For Lalà, the bike is more than a machine. It is a symbol of opportunity. She wants young people, especially women, to see that they have a place in motorcycling, not just as riders but as leaders. Her journey shows that every ride can open doors, spark change, and build stronger communities.
Motorsport is often described as a high speed arena where precision, passion, and perseverance collide. For Noella Blick, the journey began 23 years ago in the co-driver’s seat, but her path soon accelerated beyond the rally stages into leadership roles that have left an indelible mark on African motorsport.
In 2010, Noella transitioned into officiating as a Technical Delegate, a role she continues to uphold with distinction. Two years later, she was appointed as the FMU Women in Motorcycling (WIM) Commission Representative for Uganda, championing inclusivity and representation in the sport. Her leadership trajectory has since soared. From 2022 to 2024, she served as the first female Vice President of the Federation of Motorsport Clubs of Uganda (FMU), before taking on the prestigious role of Chair of the FIM Africa Women in Motorcycling Commission in 2023.
Her dedication extends across commissions, where she serves not only in the FMU WIM Commission but also in the FMU Safety and Medical Commission, advocating for both equality and rider safety.
While technical training prepares one for officiating, leadership, Noella believes, requires vision and resilience. Her participation in the FIM Future Leaders Programme proved transformative. The eight-month initiative gathered 20 emerging leaders an equal number of women and men from across the globe. “Interacting with and learning from other FMNs was both eye opening and deeply inspiring,” she reflects.
Throughout her journey, Noella has drawn strength from the pioneering women of African motorsport, including the late Beaulah Shoeman, Jacqui Montero, Julie Wahome, Gilly Dykes, and Sheryl Kibaki. She also acknowledges the support of the FIM team-Barbara Vincitini, Chloé Vermot, Ganna Dumont, and Damiano Zamana as well as FIM President Jorge Viegas, whose leadership insights left a lasting impression.
Her pride extends to the four women from her CONU who stood alongside her during the leadership program: Catherine Ozeros (Morocco), Judy Luyo (Kenya), Lala Rasajison (Madagascar), and Fiona Tsiranana (Madagascar).
As her facilitator, Nadia Bonjour, wisely remarked: “Seeds have been planted and we are empowered to harvest them one step at a time.” For Noella, this is more than a metaphor. It is a mission.
Today, she looks forward with unwavering commitment to empowering women and girls in motorcycling across Africa, ensuring that the sport not only thrives but evolves into a space where every competitor, official, and leader can find their rightful place on the track of opportunity.
Pioneering Leader, Trailblazer for Women in Motorsport, and Devoted Champion of the Sport
Motorsport South Africa pays tribute to the extraordinary life and legacy of Beaulah Schoeman, who passed away shortly before her 81st birthday after a courageous battle with cancer. Fondly known as the “Iron Lady of Motorsport,” Beaulah was a formidable leader whose impact on the sport, both locally and internationally, will never be forgotten.
Beaulah began her motorsport journey in the 1970s and 80s with the (SCC), where her passion for the sport quickly became evident. Her rise through the ranks was marked by determination and strategic foresight, culminating in her appointment as Managing Director of Motorsport South Africa (MSA), a role she held with distinction for 27 years until her retirement in 2009. During this period, she helped build and stabilise the organisation through a time of immense change and growth.
Among her many contributions to the sport, Beaulah championed numerous pioneering initiatives:
Promoter of the Sun City Motocross Grand Prix: Beaulah was instrumental in the conceptualisation and promotion of the internationally acclaimed Sun City Motocross Grand Prix, positioning South Africa as a viable global host in the international motocross calendar.
Founding African President of the FIM Continental Unions (1998–2015): She played a pivotal role in representing Africa within the global structure of the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). Her efforts contributed to greater African visibility and participation in global motorsport governance.
First President of the FIM Women’s Commission: A staunch advocate for gender inclusion, Beaulah led the charge in breaking barriers for women in motorsport. She designed and implemented policies aimed at empowering women across all disciplines, from riders to administrators.
Global Recognition for African Leadership: Beaulah represented Africa on the FIM Board, successfully lobbying for improved representation, development funding, and infrastructure investment in under-resourced federations across the continent.
National Development Projects: During her tenure, she spearheaded licencing reform, safety regulations, and cross-disciplinary integration of motorcycle, karting, and automobile racing under one governance umbrella, an achievement few in the world had accomplished at that time.
Her achievements did not go unnoticed:
Presidential Sports Award, awarded by the late Minister Steve Tshwete.
National Sports Council Protea Award.
Merit Award for lifetime contribution to motorsport and global leadership.
2008 gsport Woman of the Year: Recognised as the only woman worldwide to lead a national federation covering all motorsport disciplines.
Guardian of Jack: awarded by the SPCA Wildlife unit
Beyond motorsport, Beaulah was known for her deep love of animals and served as an advocate for animal welfare throughout her life. Her commitment to justice, equality, and care extended well beyond her official roles, revealing a woman of strong conviction and generous spirit.
She is survived by her loving husband, Marius Schoeman, who supported her unwaveringly throughout her career and life.
Beaulah Schoeman leaves behind a legacy of strength, innovation, and unwavering service. She was a mentor, a trailblazer, and a beacon for many who believed in the transformative power of sport. Motorsport South Africa, the African motorsport community, and the global FIM family owe her a great debt of gratitude.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to Marius, her step-daughter Heidi, family, friends, and colleagues across the world. May her formidable legacy continue to inspire future generations.
Rest in Peace, Beaulah. You will be remembered with admiration, love, and profound respect.
From sleeping under helicopters in Moroccan deserts to managing high-performance athletes through grueling international events, Gillian (Gilly) Dykes, FIM Africa Director and FIM Cross Country Bureau member, is no stranger to the chaos and charm of Rally-Raid.
An accomplished FIM official and one of the few women in this niche, high-octane motorsport space, Gilly has paved her way through decades of perseverance, passion, and an unwavering love for the sport.
She has been integrally involved in the lead-up to next month’s South African Safari Rally. Presented by event partner Toyota Gazoo Racing, this is Round 3 of the prestigious World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC), taking place for the first time from 18–22 May in the North West province.
Dykes’ journey began at just 18, sparked by a deep-rooted involvement in motorsport and nurtured over the years with the help of Motorsport South Africa, FIM Africa, and the global FIM family. “People think we just show up,” she laughs. “But the truth is, officials go through rigorous exams and gain years of on-the-ground experience – from club to national events – before even being considered for an international role.”
Rally-Raid is unlike any other discipline. It’s the only motorsport event that sees bikes, quads, SSVs, and cars all racing side by side, with the FIM handling two wheels and the FIA overseeing four. “The cross-over means regulations must align, especially since many of our top riders move into cars later in their careers.”
Technological advancements – from paper road books to digital navigation systems – and increased safety requirements, like mandatory air vests for riders, have changed the game. “It’s about evolution, but also about keeping the spirit of adventure alive,” she says.
And adventurous it certainly is. She recalls her first Dakar in 2013, not as an official, but managing two riders. “We were a group of about ten women, each supporting a team or rider. By Day 10, the fatigue, altitude, and endless logistics took their toll. We once joked that looking after our riders was like breastfeeding all over again – you’re on constant standby for their every squawk.”
Navigating rough terrain, encountering sandstorms, and finding sleep in various situations – including beneath a helicopter – Gilly’s experiences highlight the challenges faced in this line of work. But her love for the sport is palpable. “It’s a privilege I’ll never take for granted.”
“Rally riders,” she says, “are a special breed. The mental and physical toll is immense. Training includes hours dragging tractor tyres and biking for eight hours a day. By the second week, even the fittest athletes are sleep-deprived and mentally drained. And then there’s the distraction of social media, and the stress of penalties and regulations.”
As one of the few officials from Africa on the international circuit, she’s proud of how far South African riders have come. “Our terrain – from dunes to bushveld – forces riders to ‘read the road’ quickly, and that raw grit and survival instinct sets them apart.”
Her message to young officials and riders? “Do it! When you live with someone for two weeks during a rally, they become family – riders included. There’s camaraderie, there are debates, but it’s all part of the passion.”
She encourages newcomers to connect with their national federation, get involved, and start learning. “Read the regulations. Watch webinars. Attend seminars. Whether you’re riding or officiating, knowledge is power – it’s how you understand the rules, protect yourself, and maybe even win a protest. The sport evolves every year and I never stop learning.”
After all, Gilly knows firsthand that motorsport is not just about speed. It’s about resilience, evolution, and the human spirit that keeps coming back for more – dusty and tired – but still smiling.
And it’s a feeling echoed across the community. As South Africa revs up for May, all eyes are on its wide-open spaces, its rich racing culture, and the promise of Rally-Raid glory, African-style.
Abu Dhabi 2025 Gillian Dykes with the two technical officials Izak Santej and Violet Shehi from the technical commission known as CTIDakar 2018 South AmericaDakar 2023 Gillian Dykes with Svetlana NAZAROVA, Commission of Circuit Racing CoordinatorDakar South America 2013Gillian Dykes member of the CTT Commission and a Bureau member within FIM
Issued for MSA and South African Safari Rally by Cathy Findley PR and Deploy Brand Management.
