It’s Viva Italia for Curro motorbike rider. Viva Italia is the only thing on Kgopotso ‘KJ’ Mononyane’s mind, as the 15-year-old learner prepares to compete in the Moto3 category at the CIV Italian Motorcycle Championship in Italy later this year. The Grade 9 learner from Waterstone College in Johannesburg, a school managed by Curro Holdings, has been revving up a noisy name for himself since he began riding motorbikes five years ago.

KJ as he is fondly known by his nearest and dearest, was always keen on the sport but was hindered by his parents who thought it was too dangerous. That all changed when Neil Harran from the South African Motorcycle Racing Academy visited on a school open day in 2017. “When I tried Mr Harran’s demo stationary practice bike, everyone was so impressed with my test ride that even Mr Harran recommended to my parents that I should enrol into his academy,” he says.

The young KJ hasn’t looked back since. He started participating in competitions in the Short Circuit Road racing series that very same year and won the NSF100cc Honda Cup Championship in 2019. Over the next four years, he would go on to become extremely well-known in the biking community for his impressive tricks and stunts, winning multiple circuit motorcycle racing championships and gaining a cult following.  In 2020, just before the pandemic hit, KJ claimed another title in the Clubman’s Championship, finished in second position in the 150 Cup and won the same championship in 2021. In the very same year, his dream of showcasing his potential internationally though was almost shattered though, when he lost the support of his biggest supporter, his dad.

Turning a loss into his biggest gain

Swiss based Revwing Sport Management was searching for a young South African rider to take part in the Premoto3 CIV Championship. KJ and his father thought this would be a great opportunity for him to take the next big step in his career. “My father was instrumental in helping secure me a spot in the M&M Management racing team for the 2021 season and I will always remember him for this,” he explains.

KJ’s father was a medical specialist who sadly passed away the same year in a helicopter crash on his way to help save a Covid-19 patient. Instead of moping around, the loss of his father made KJ even more determined to make a success out of his motorbiking career, pushing through any boundaries, and always striving to improve his skills and achieve new records. His mother made several sacrifices so he could make his dream a reality and join the championship later. “KJ’s passion for biking and dedication to his studies is an inspiration to everyone at Waterstone College. We follow his progress in the world of motorbike riding with immense pride and interest and are honoured to have such a talented and hard-working student within our school community,” says Jacques Nel, Executive Head of Waterstone College.