Her jaw clenches, staring ahead at the first bend. The ground starts to thunder, each rumble, a vicious threat. The war zone is splayed out, ready to devour those brave enough to try. The courageous child in her pounds on the walls of her heart. The rumbling grows louder. 5 seconds to go. The gates open; a mother trembles with her nails between her teeth.
Let the games begin.
Saturday
“Thank you all for being here. Let’s go out there and give it our all. One Zambia! One Nation!”
Smiles beam and hands clap as she looks around, memorising the crinkle of familiar eyes, hoping they’ll still be there when the weekend is over. It’s an honour to support, compete and represent their country together. Sharing the same goals, wearing the same colours, living the same dream. This year in Cape Town, for the Motocross of African Nations.
Sunday
She races round each dreaded corner, braces against each jump in the sky and each hesitant turn of the throttle. But, still, they keep coming, one by one, blurred spots of colour flashing past until all she can see ahead of her is the shine of the motorbikes. The rush of the race begins to fade, and her erratic heart starts to slow. Yet, no… she was told: ‘go out there and give it your all’. Is this it? This couldn’t be how it ends… She did the early mornings, the ‘one more rep’s. It’s only her fault for aiming for the stars and falling before she could even leave the ground.
Overwhelmed, frustrated, and disappointed, she returns to her Zambian team where words of comfort and encouragement coax a wavering smile from her previously downturned lips. They all walk together and gather near the medic tent – a fellow junior rider had a bad crash. Although their spirits are fragile, they stand together and attempt to ignite one another’s hearts regardless. There, her previously extinguished fire starts to splutter, burning courage and hope where there wasn’t before.
“All right, boys and girls, this is the last round. Give it all you’ve got. You need to start taking the inside line in the corners and being more aggressive. Leah: really good start, keep it up. Watch the breaking bumps. As we’ve said, each of your names are on your bikes, that’s who you are racing. You are not riding somebody else’s race. Race the track. And, finally, do not leave here with regrets!”
For the last few races of the day, they gather by the side-lines, cheering for Zambia, proudly waving their flag, screaming ‘one Zambian. One Nation!’, propelling their team to produce the best results they can.
She hangs on, knees clenched to the bike. Her hand is stuck on the throttle. Faster. She’s the first around the corner. Holeshot! She switches to the inside line and tears down the first bend, letting the jump propel her through the air. She can do this. 15 laps. Let’s go.
Shift a gear down. Break. Breathe. Angle the bike through the uphill bend. Shift a gear higher. Stand up. Hold tight with your knees. She lets the bike flow over the bumps. She can hear the other riders’ provoked engines growling behind her, inching closer and closer.
Nevertheless, still, she dances, up the hill and in the air. Pushing faster. Moving. On and on. She will not give up on herself. The chequered finish flag waves ahead of her as she rides over the last jump, pumping her fist in the air. Proud to be wearing these colours.
At the end of the day, there is only us and our relentless hope: reluctantly dancing, trying to avoid stepping on each other’s toes, and occasionally failing. And I know people quiet the song, pause the dance – but when you go home and fall asleep, hope will gently shake you awake and you’ll have no choice but to dance again, your footsteps echoing with the weight of it all.
Motocross in Zambia.
Motocross is one of the twenty motorcycling racing disciplines.
The two popular disciplines practiced in Zambia and throughout Africa, are Motocross and Enduro. Neither need a costly investment for a permanent track or circuit, and therefore, unlike the other disciplines such as MotoGP and Speedway, the sport of Motocross and Enduro has continued to sustain itself in Africa.Motocross, started out in Northern Rhodesia as Scrambling, and sometime in the 60’s, the international name for scrambling , became known as “Motocross”.
Several motorcycle racing clubs around Zambia, would host, annually, one or two rounds of the national championship. The clubs fall under the national motor sport federation, ZMSA, who in turn, is affiliated to the world governing body, FIM.
The racing machinery is manufactured by all the big names in Japan and Europe, and of course, the MX motorcycle models range from the small 50cc for 5 year olds, up to the maximum size of 450cc. ZMSA ‘s rules host 9 classes, that covers the whole family:-
50cc: 5-7yrs
65cc: 8-10 yr
85cc: 10-12yr
125cc: 13-15yr
MX2 (250cc): 14-15yr
MX1 (450cc): 16yr and over
Women: 85cc-125cc under 15yrs
250cc: 16yrs and over.
Vets: 35-40yr
Masters: 50 + yr.
(actual ages/class may have changed for 2026)
Historically, we had clubs in the Southern Province:- Mazabuka, Choma and Livingstone, and in the Midlands:- Lusaka, Eureka, Chisamba. Copperbelt:- Kitwe, Ndola, Chingola.
For 2026, we have Lusaka Motorcycle Club, Chisamba Powersports Club, Livingstone Motor Club, Dirtbike Riders Club (Kitwe), with MX tracks in Leopards Hill, Chisamba, Mkushi, Kitwe. and the first national MX was held in February at the Lyn Szeftel track in Leopards Hill, organized by the LMCC. The next event is slated for the 21st March in Kitwe. There are 6 national events on the calendar. Parents please note that the sport is relatively safe. Children will ride age-appropiate sized mini motorcycles, with the full protection clothing apparel, and the sport is governed for safety, under the FIM rules and regulations, with trained officials.
How has Zambia faired in relation to Africa. Every year we send a national team to the MXOAN , Motocross of African Nations. A unique 2 day FIM Continental event that races all the 9 classes, and teams often have fathers and/or mothers racing alongside their children in their respective classes. At times, we have had grandfathers and grand children. Nations come away with silverware and as African Champions, and 9 individuals as African champions of their respective racing class. For the years 2015 to 2024, our own Leagh Heygate of Chingola has been 9 times Womens African Champion consecutively. Dale Holiday (Ndola) has been Masters Champion 6 times.
Is this minority sport, still only practiced by residents of European descent, and non-Zambians? No, this is changing. All the Clubs have a programme, where they have been bringing on Zambian children riders, and the results are beginning to show. The real diversity champions on this Continent, are Uganda and Kenya, Senegal and Cote Ivoire. The motocross riders from these nations, are almost 100% nationals, and Uganda is a model we are copying.
Other continental or world championship events. FIM Africa sent a 5 rider women motocross team last year to Melbourne, captained by Zambia’s Leah Heygate, with riders drawn from RSA, Namibia, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia.
Capetown hosted the final round of the World Supercross in the DHL Stadium in Seapoint December 2025. And in July 2026, the World Championship MXGP returns to Africa, and will be held in Johannesburg.
If you are interested in coming along as a spectator or more, contact Helen at ZMSA, who heads the motorcycling division, CMZ. zmsa@honda.com.zm
Let the games begin.
Saturday
“Thank you all for being here. Let’s go out there and give it our all. One Zambia! One Nation!”
Smiles beam and hands clap as she looks around, memorising the crinkle of familiar eyes, hoping they’ll still be there when the weekend is over. It’s an honour to support, compete and represent their country together. Sharing the same goals, wearing the same colours, living the same dream. This year in Cape Town, for the Motocross of African Nations.
Sunday
She races round each dreaded corner, braces against each jump in the sky and each hesitant turn of the throttle. But, still, they keep coming, one by one, blurred spots of colour flashing past until all she can see ahead of her is the shine of the motorbikes. The rush of the race begins to fade, and her erratic heart starts to slow. Yet, no… she was told: ‘go out there and give it your all’. Is this it? This couldn’t be how it ends… She did the early mornings, the ‘one more rep’s. It’s only her fault for aiming for the stars and falling before she could even leave the ground.
Overwhelmed, frustrated, and disappointed, she returns to her Zambian team where words of comfort and encouragement coax a wavering smile from her previously downturned lips. They all walk together and gather near the medic tent – a fellow junior rider had a bad crash. Although their spirits are fragile, they stand together and attempt to ignite one another’s hearts regardless. There, her previously extinguished fire starts to splutter, burning courage and hope where there wasn’t before.
“All right, boys and girls, this is the last round. Give it all you’ve got. You need to start taking the inside line in the corners and being more aggressive. Leah: really good start, keep it up. Watch the breaking bumps. As we’ve said, each of your names are on your bikes, that’s who you are racing. You are not riding somebody else’s race. Race the track. And, finally, do not leave here with regrets!”
For the last few races of the day, they gather by the side-lines, cheering for Zambia, proudly waving their flag, screaming ‘one Zambian. One Nation!’, propelling their team to produce the best results they can.
She hangs on, knees clenched to the bike. Her hand is stuck on the throttle. Faster. She’s the first around the corner. Holeshot! She switches to the inside line and tears down the first bend, letting the jump propel her through the air. She can do this. 15 laps. Let’s go.
Shift a gear down. Break. Breathe. Angle the bike through the uphill bend. Shift a gear higher. Stand up. Hold tight with your knees. She lets the bike flow over the bumps. She can hear the other riders’ provoked engines growling behind her, inching closer and closer.
Nevertheless, still, she dances, up the hill and in the air. Pushing faster. Moving. On and on. She will not give up on herself. The chequered finish flag waves ahead of her as she rides over the last jump, pumping her fist in the air. Proud to be wearing these colours.
At the end of the day, there is only us and our relentless hope: reluctantly dancing, trying to avoid stepping on each other’s toes, and occasionally failing. And I know people quiet the song, pause the dance – but when you go home and fall asleep, hope will gently shake you awake and you’ll have no choice but to dance again, your footsteps echoing with the weight of it all.
Motocross in Zambia.
Motocross is one of the twenty motorcycling racing disciplines.
The two popular disciplines practiced in Zambia and throughout Africa, are Motocross and Enduro. Neither need a costly investment for a permanent track or circuit, and therefore, unlike the other disciplines such as MotoGP and Speedway, the sport of Motocross and Enduro has continued to sustain itself in Africa.Motocross, started out in Northern Rhodesia as Scrambling, and sometime in the 60’s, the international name for scrambling , became known as “Motocross”.
Several motorcycle racing clubs around Zambia, would host, annually, one or two rounds of the national championship. The clubs fall under the national motor sport federation, ZMSA, who in turn, is affiliated to the world governing body, FIM.
The racing machinery is manufactured by all the big names in Japan and Europe, and of course, the MX motorcycle models range from the small 50cc for 5 year olds, up to the maximum size of 450cc. ZMSA ‘s rules host 9 classes, that covers the whole family:-
50cc: 5-7yrs
65cc: 8-10 yr
85cc: 10-12yr
125cc: 13-15yr
MX2 (250cc): 14-15yr
MX1 (450cc): 16yr and over
Women: 85cc-125cc under 15yrs
250cc: 16yrs and over.
Vets: 35-40yr
Masters: 50 + yr.
(actual ages/class may have changed for 2026)
Historically, we had clubs in the Southern Province:- Mazabuka, Choma and Livingstone, and in the Midlands:- Lusaka, Eureka, Chisamba. Copperbelt:- Kitwe, Ndola, Chingola.
For 2026, we have Lusaka Motorcycle Club, Chisamba Powersports Club, Livingstone Motor Club, Dirtbike Riders Club (Kitwe), with MX tracks in Leopards Hill, Chisamba, Mkushi, Kitwe. and the first national MX was held in February at the Lyn Szeftel track in Leopards Hill, organized by the LMCC. The next event is slated for the 21st March in Kitwe. There are 6 national events on the calendar. Parents please note that the sport is relatively safe. Children will ride age-appropiate sized mini motorcycles, with the full protection clothing apparel, and the sport is governed for safety, under the FIM rules and regulations, with trained officials.
How has Zambia faired in relation to Africa. Every year we send a national team to the MXOAN , Motocross of African Nations. A unique 2 day FIM Continental event that races all the 9 classes, and teams often have fathers and/or mothers racing alongside their children in their respective classes. At times, we have had grandfathers and grand children. Nations come away with silverware and as African Champions, and 9 individuals as African champions of their respective racing class. For the years 2015 to 2024, our own Leagh Heygate of Chingola has been 9 times Womens African Champion consecutively. Dale Holiday (Ndola) has been Masters Champion 6 times.
Is this minority sport, still only practiced by residents of European descent, and non-Zambians? No, this is changing. All the Clubs have a programme, where they have been bringing on Zambian children riders, and the results are beginning to show. The real diversity champions on this Continent, are Uganda and Kenya, Senegal and Cote Ivoire. The motocross riders from these nations, are almost 100% nationals, and Uganda is a model we are copying.
Other continental or world championship events. FIM Africa sent a 5 rider women motocross team last year to Melbourne, captained by Zambia’s Leah Heygate, with riders drawn from RSA, Namibia, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia.
Capetown hosted the final round of the World Supercross in the DHL Stadium in Seapoint December 2025. And in July 2026, the World Championship MXGP returns to Africa, and will be held in Johannesburg.
If you are interested in coming along as a spectator or more, contact Helen at ZMSA, who heads the motorcycling division, CMZ. zmsa@honda.com.zm
