The MOTH Motorcycle Association was conceived in Cape Town by a group of Moths with a common interest in biking. Based on the fact that there are a considerable number of ex-military veterans on bikes who would more than likely qualify as Moths, this was quite obviously a marketing tool for the MOTH to increase its membership.

After what seemed an eternity of preparation, communication, and proposals, the MMA was finally born on the 6^th September 2008 complete with Rules and Standing Orders approved by GHQ Durban. The “bikers” were now on the road with a patch proudly displayed on their backs, and the wide-open road before them with many new friendships, and prospective new Moths ahead.

The MMA grew rapidly in the Western Cape and soon the riders in Gauteng came to hear of the “new” unit, and immediately showed interest in joining up. Subsequently in 2010 a small group of Pretoria Moths were seen on the roads with their black and gold MMA patches proudly displayed.

This small group was set to grow rapidly and eventually with a strength of seven members, on the 13^th February 2011, the second Provincial chapter of the MOTH Motorcycle Association – MMA Platinum was born with a commitment to:

• Building a successful Association on sound foundations established by the Cape Western MMA over the previous 3 years and to promote rapid growth through membership;
• Developing the Association into a brotherhood of bikers, proud to be Moths and members of the MMA,
• Driving home the principle of true MOTH bikers

Founding meeting of MMA Platinum

• Held at Warrior Shellhole on 13^th February 2011
• Founding members:
  • Kevin Gradidge,
  • Johnny Beukes,
  • Greg vd Merwe,
  • Chris v Schalkwyk
  • Earl Swanepoel,
  • Chris v Zyl,
  • Gerald Strydom
• Prospects present
  • Mike v Biljon
  • Lawrence v Wyk
• Founding committee members nominated:
  • Chairman – Kevin Gradidge
  • Secretary – Johnny Beukes
  • Treasurer – Greg van der Merwe

What followed was a succession of “firsts” for the MMA as the Platinum Chapter grew exponentially to cover the entire MOTH Platinum Provincial Dugout within the bounds of:

• Gauteng incorporating the following chapters
  • Pretoria, West Rand, East Rand, and Southern Transvaal (This area included the Vaal Triangle and Northern Freestate area of Parys, and subsequently amalgamated into East and West Rands, with the addition of Joburg)
• North West (Part of Pretoria District Dugout)
  • Rustenburg area
• Mpumalanga:
  • Coalfields, Lowveld, and South Eastern Transvaal
• Limpopo (made up from Outposts of Platinum Provincial Dugout)
  • Comprising Phalaborwa, Tzaneen, Louis Trichart, and Pietersburg areas
• In addition to the above, MMA members from the Freestate areas of Welkom and Bloemfontein fell under the umbrella of the MMA Platinum Provincial Exec.
• As the Southern KZN, and KZN chapters were instigated, they too fell under the MMA Platinum Chapter until their subsequent inaugurations.

The following timeline outlines the dedication of the members to the growth of the MMA and associated recruiting of new MOTH members:

• MMA Platinum Chapter Standing Orders ratified and accepted May 2011
• First Platinum chapter AGM July 2011at Evenden House
  • Membership 19
  • GHQ4 form submitted and MMA established in the official MOTH Directory
  • New Exec installed by Platinum Provincial Dugout
    • Chairman: Kevin Gradidge
    • Vice Chairman: Shaun Heydenreich
    • Secretary: Johnny Beukes
    • Treasurer: Greg van der Merwe
    • Sergeant at Arms: Chris van Zyl
• The establishment of a formal section to the MMA for non-Moths who would go on promote the Order through exposure of the MOTH Friends patch. Subsequently, the first Female full MMA member, Moth Pauline van Rooyen was initiated on 18^th March 2012.
• After many attempts at both design of the patch (not many people know that the basic design of the inverted rifle with helmet was provided by Moth Lionel Crator) as well as structural proposals, the new Friends of MMA patch designed by Platinum MMA was approved by GHQ on 8^th July 2012, herewith some of the attempts at an acceptable design leading up the final patch in use today with the six stars representing the Provincial Dugouts, the wreath commemorating the forgotten soldier, and the inverted rifle in memory of our fallen comrades.

• The following were the first to be awarded their Friends patches

• “On the Pegs” newsletter launched February 2013, with thanks to Moth Ken Meyer.
• Undoubtably, one of the highlights of the Platinum Chapter timeline was the 5^th Birthday Bash on 13^th February 2016 at Warrior Shellhole in Muldersdrift, Roodepoort. A massive success and awesome celebration was enjoyed by all. The turnout by MMA members from far and wide as well as huge support from the biker community and public alike turned this event into a memorable anniversary.

• Revival of the Warrior Arms Club and upgrading of facilities for MMA Platinum Clubhouse at Warrior Shellhole, Muldersdrift. The Warrior Arms club had been closed for some time and become a burden to the Warrior/Oasis cottage residents in terms of monthly payment of utilities and rates. The re-opening provided a home for the MMA in terms of a clubhouse and biker events venue, whilst at the same time providing relief to the cottage residents by removing the burden of monthly upkeep of the buildings as well as providing a base for assisting the retired fellow Moths – a success in Mutual Help. The new club was opened on 1^st September 2013. MMA Platinum HQ remained at MOTH Evenden House Pretoria.

• A 750km run in icey conditions to Vanderkloof dam in the Northern Cape where we met with MMA members from the Cape Western, KZN and Southern KZN chapters to celebrate 5 years of existence of the MOTH Motorcycle Association. A truly memorable weekend and example of True comradeship. The MMA National 5^th anniversary was arranged and hosted by MMA Platinum from 21^st to 23^rd September 2013.

• First annual Sunflower Foundation Bandana Day at Warrior Arms Club13^th October 2013
• Opening of MMA Southern KZN Chapter, inaugurated by MMA Platinum at Allan Wilson Shellhole in Pietermaritzburg on 16^th November 2013. This was the third new Provincial chapter established after 18 months of recruiting and spreading the MOTH and MMA cause.

• Following collaboration with the Cape Western Chapter, the Platinum designed National Banner was approved by GHQ on 21^st March 2014

• Due to growth and membership spread across a vast area, MMA formalised a decentralised structure from 1^st July 2014 into the following Chapters reporting to MMA Platinum Executive responsible for administration, control, and reporting to MOTH Platinum:
  • Platinum Exec
    • West Rand Chapter:
    • Pretoria Chapter:
    • Coalfields Chapter:
  • Due to insufficient membership, some informal Chapters report as follows until they qualify in numbers to have a full Chapter:
    • Lowveld report to Coalfields.
    • S E Transvaal, Outposts and neighbouring Provinces report to Platinum.
    • East Rand report to Pretoria
    • South Gauteng report to West Rand.
• Mike Mortlock trophy presented to the MMA by Platinum Provincial Dugout, awarded 26^th July 2014 for the most done in the Order in terms of Public Relations work for the past year
• Mike Mortlock trophy presented to the MMA by Platinum Provincial Dugout, awarded 25^th July 2015 for the most done in the Order in terms of Public Relations work for the past year
• After almost 18 months of deliberating over the design, the first MOTH Motorcycle Association memorial plinth was erected at Evenden House in Pretoria. The Granite slabs were donated by Easylife Kitchens through Moth Stuart McKay, and the project was overseen by Moths Allen Sounes and John Quinn. The structure was unveiled at the inaugural annual MMA Parade on 03^rd October 2015, held at Evenden House in remembrance of past MMA members who answered the Sunset Call. The unveiling was assisted by the Platinum Provincial Old Bill Moth Stuart Howie, and was set to be the first of an annual MMA memorial parade to be held on the first Saturday in October to pay respect to those MMA members in Platinum chapter who have answered the sunset call.

• Opening of MMA KZN, the 3^rd Provincial Chapter was inaugurated by MMA Platinum at Flame Lily Cottages in Durban on 27^th February 2016
• 05^th March 2016 MMA Platinum – Dardanelles rescue project in conjunction with Warrior Shellhole and West Rand District Dugout to prevent closure of Dardanelles Shellhole. Huge gratitude must go out to those MMA members, committed Moths who transferred into Dardanelles and formed a new executive, and through the three ideals of our Order made it possible for Dardanelles to maintain the Shellhole’s rich history and return to a working unit.
• On 22^nd December 2017, following a notice from GHQ implementing a national set of standing orders for the MMA, the MMA Platinum proposed a set of Standard Operating Procedures related to local day to day running, and which would run concurrent and subservient to the new National standing orders. This document, having been in the draft phase over an extended period from 2014 was subsequently implemented in July 2020 and would eventually form the basis for a new proposed comprehensive set of rules for the MMA nationally distributed for review under the title FINAL MMA GSOs.
• COVID-19 Lockdown on 26^th March 2020 prompted MMA Platinum to embark on a feeding and helping-hand initiative. The project was coordinated and run from a base in Honeydew and by obtaining special permits, and with the aid of major supermarket outlets and Moeggesukkel Reconciliation Centre, provided much needed assistance to Moths throughout the Gauteng area for the duration of the Lockdown.
• On 1^st April 2020 following lengthy considerations initiated by MMA Platinum as far back as mid-2014, and following MMA Platinum discussions nationally during 2019, the process of forming a National Administrative Committee (NAC) was instituted. Official notification to all chapters was tabled on 20^th September 2020. A full founding document with mission statement and objectives was tabled on 27^th March 2021 to MMA Platinum chapters, with the intention of a full national implementation once accepted.
• 9^th July 2020 was a watershed date in the history of the MMA Platinum, and which would change the course of the MMA Platinum and ultimately lead to disbanding the provincial exec as a controlling body for the MMA throughout the MOTH Platinum Province.
  • Following a directive from GHQ in which the MMA platinum’s unofficial “unit status” was rebuked, the following were terminated:
    • Official attendance and participation at Provincial Dugout meetings resulting in no further monthly MMA formal Dugout representation and reports, and so bringing to an end:
      • Progress and events feedback
      • Financial reporting
      • Annual budget report submissions
      • Year-end documentation and returns, audited annual financial statements, and annual handing over documentation
      • Closure of Smartedge banking profile
    • Annual Provincial Dugout dinner invite ceased
    • Awards in recognition for MMA contribution to Platinum Provincial Dugout and participation in recruiting awards ended.
    • Recommendations and presentation by MMA Platinum Exec of MOTH “C” and “G” badges to MMA members terminated
    • Removal of MMA data from MOTH Directory
    • SARS registration application abandoned
    • COVID relief fund and helping hand closed down.
• 16^th August 2020 MMA Platinum awarded “The Richard Wilson Floating Trophy.” A new award donated to the MMA within the MOTH Platinum Province to be presented to the chapter that forwards the Moth and MMA the most in their endeavours, and have gone the extra mile in the current year
• 13^th February 2021 MMA Platinum 10^th anniversary celebration held in Dullstroom

• A misunderstanding regards the concept of the National Administrative Committee (NAC) along with a lack of foresight, led to unnecessary discontentment among some members of the MMA nationally, some of whom perceived the NAC model as a dictating control body. Therefore, on the 26^th February 2022 the NAC was retracted, and the concept terminated entirely. Subsequently, the elected members of the National Administrative Committee withdrew themselves to allow the MMA to continue under the reporting structures outlined in the MMA Standing Orders issued by GHQ. This action resulted in the following proposals to cease any further discussion and consideration:
  • Redefining Chapter boundaries in line with MOTH Districts and biking community areas
  • National Standard Operating Procedures
  • Universal documents for MMA use nationally
  • Honorary memberships
  • National 15^th anniversary arrangements
  • MMA awards abandoned (3 dice badges designed, and production halted)
  • Purple Poppy Memorial
  • National charity drive
  • National liaison and representation at MOTH National level
• Subsequent to the foregoing, on 26^th March 2022, 4 weeks after the NAC closure, extensive discussions and internal deliberation with reference to the Standing Orders and associated directive issued by MOTH GHQ, the MMA Platinum executive was disbanded and withdrawn entirely.

From its meagre beginnings in February of 2011, through the inception of the MMA Platinum structure in July 2014 leading up to its closure in March 2022, the lifespan of MMA Platinum was nothing short of colourful. The camaraderie experienced on the “long rides” such as 3 Provinces Run 1,000km, ,NW Diamond Run 1,200km, Limpopo Run 1,530km, ET Run 1,500km, Swaziland Rally 1,000km, KZN Run1,200km, Bosveld Run 1,000km, Drakensberg Run 1,500km, Lowveld Run 1,000km, SE Tvl Run 1,730km, are all burned on our memories and remain testimony to the comradeship shared within this band of brothers.

At the time of closing down the MMA Platinum recorded the following nominal Roll:

• Grand total membership             165
• Full Moths             112 (35 new Moths recruited into the Order)
  • Current active 61
  • Transferred/resigned 41
  • Sunset calls             10
• FOMMA             53
  • Current active 33
  • Transferred/resigned 19
  • Sunset calls             1

ROLL OF HONOUR – WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

• Moth Bernard “Shadow” Frost: 1960 – 2012
• Moth Kallie Calitz: 1963 – 2013
• Moth Errol “Cuz” Howard: 1962 – 2013
• Moth Graham “Sharky” Lundy: 1964 – 2015
• Moth Len “Homer” Hayne: 1955 – 2016
• Moth Mike van Biljon: 1956 – 2018
• Moth Karl “Karlmier” Pretorius: 1965 – 2019
• Moth Herman “German” Sullwald: 1960 – 2020
• We also remember FOMMA Moth Des “Pops” van der Merwe 1940 – 2020

Annual events were born, most of which are still running to this day. Memories were recorded, friendships cast in stone, and a firm irreversible foundation was laid for the MMA across the Platinum region based on the 3 ideals of the Order. This is but a short summary of the history of the MMA Platinum which has numerous events and notable milestones, too many to mention in a short overview. The stories, some of which would ignite furious banter and guffaws of laughter over copious refreshments, will be relayed and retold for years to come. Legends were forged and their contributions to the MOTH written in indelible fashion on the walls of day jols, Rallies and MOTH sanctuaries alike. To those who have gone before, we will remember them, and their voices are forever inscribed on our Roll of Honour.

Past Chairmen