23 October 1947 – 7 November 2024
Johan Hattingh, as a co-founder of Wing Riders SA forty-one years ago, left a profound legacy.
Today, we must say goodbye to Johan, and what more can we say than thank you? Thank you for your legacy and the “Wings” badge you gifted to all our members this year, which you requested to remain part of WRSA’s emblems in the future.
You made many friends in WRSA and travelled far and wide on your Gold Wings.
Rest in peace, Johan. Your journey on earth is fulfilled and complete.
To Johan’s wife, children, grandchildren, family, and friends – our deepest condolences are with you all. May you find peace through the love and grace of Jesus Christ.
Johan Hattingh’s role in Wing Riders SA
Johan started working for Midmacor in 1982. At the time, it had an industrial division and a motorcycle division. In 1983, Johan was asked to take over as Marketing Manager of the Motorcycle Division. He received a car and a “company” motorcycle, namely an 1100 Gold Wing.
Only two colours were available for the 1100s: blue and burgundy. A Honda Gold Wing cost R5 999 in those days, which was a lot of money.
As time went by, Gold Wing owners from all over South Africa became known to Johan – among others, Lionel Muntz, George, Wollie Wolmarans (Pietersburg), Chris Bauermeester (Cape Town), Peter Barnard, Danny Kirsten, Quintin van der Merwe (who rode a red Gold Wing) and John Cole. Some people were members, in their personal capacity, of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA) in America, but no club yet existed in South Africa.
In 1983, Johan offered to take the initiative and organised a get-together for all Gold Wing owners in South Africa. The decision was taken to go to a place centrally located and the choice fell on the Joey’s Resort at the P.K. Le Roux Dam at Van Der Kloof in the Free State over a weekend in October. About 30 motorcycles gathered for the occasion.
This first Gold Wing-involved rally, together with all the excitement thereof, also proved to be a thoroughly enjoyable event. Gold Wing riders from all over South Africa had been invited and strangers soon became friends and the camaraderie that developed made one proud.
A general meeting was held during this get-together at Van Der Kloof in 1983 where Johan Hattingh proposed, because of the cost and the returns for South African members of GWRRA not being very good, especially when it came to recruiting new members, that a South African club be created, exclusively for Gold Wing owners. They would have had the backing of the mother company and the backing of Honda SA. After some discussion on the pros and cons, this proposal was unanimously accepted. Thus, the birth of a club in 1983.
It was proposed and accepted that it would be called Wing Riders of South Africa and each province with a club would become affiliated. A National Council was then elected with a President at the helm to co-ordinate and maintain continuity in the provinces. Johan Hattingh was elected as the first President and Wing Riders SA kicked off with eight Chapters in areas all over South Africa.
It was also proposed and accepted that the Club would have an annual rally called a Wing Fling and that each province would have a turn in organising and hosting it. The first official Wing Fling was held at the Rob Ferreira Resort at Christiana in 1985.
In 1984, Johan Hattingh decided to bring in the newly launched 1200 Gold Wing, but his management consented to import only five motorcycles. One was a demo model which Johan used, one went to Wollie Wolmarans in Pietersburg, one to Ampie Woest in Springs and the other two were sold.
Johan Hattingh designed the first badge of Wing Riders SA (when the Association was still going to be a chapter of GWRRA and he also wrote the first Constitution with the assistance of the legal team of Midmacor. This badge can be viewed on our web page. It should be noted that the badge we currently wear, is very similar to the original one.
In 1986/7, Johan Hattingh won the Total Economy Race with his 1200 Aspencade, the best in fuel efficiency in the world.
In 1987, Johan Hattingh was elected as Honorary President of Wing Riders SA and he became an honorary member in 2009.
We all knew something else about Johan. He did not just look around and see things that need attention. He took action. Johan was the person who did something when it needed to be done. Way back in 1983, the dream to establish a South African club for Gold Wing owners started in Johan’s mind. He did not say, “Let somebody else do it.” He said, “I’ll take that on.”
Many years have gone by. His enthusiasm for the Gold Wing motorcycle and Wing Riders SA remained as strong as it was 40 years ago. He was the founding father in a drive that took Wing Riders SA from a dream to a reality. A reality that still stands strong today.
He will be greatly missed. Rest in peace, Johan.
Funeral service – Johan Hendrik Hattingh (23/10/1947 – 7/11/2024) –
https://youtube.com/live/_k2Prdi06gE?feature=share
Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/wingriders/albums/72177720322026514
I met Yohan in the early days 1984 was at the wing fling with him and others like Danny Kirsten, Peter Stelling, Ampie in 1985 and 1986 it was my pleasure to have known Yohan “RIP”
Our ernest sympathies go to Johan Hatting’s family, his friends and of course the Wing Riders all over SA with his passing away yesterday! It remains an honour to have been part of the original group that established the club back then! May he rest in peace. D&F Kirsten..
RIP Johan I had the privilege of knowing Johan as well as Danny also Ampie we rode together with former president’s and chairman’s like Chris Booysen Dawid Gouws Frank McNicol the list goes on I was with Dawie as vice chairman east rand. Still love the people but unfortunately don’t have my wing anymore
Met Johan in 1983 through Danny Kirsten. Danny and I met on the R511 near Hennops Picnic spots. Served on the national committee with Johan, Danny, Quintin and others.
Had the honour to be part of the Christiana Wing Ding.
Johan was a fantastic person, always willing to help and always available for anything to do with Gold Wings.
It was an honour to know you Johan, Rest In Peace and fly high!
Rest in peace Johan. You will be dearly missed. We will guard your legacy with integrity and honor.