Mays Group | Himeville | Southern Drakensberg | Kwazulu Natal
Mays Group is situated in the beautiful Southern Drakensberg town of Himeville in Kwazulu Natal. Having a long history in the town, Mays Group has evolved over the years to what it is today. A name with such historical connotations, and a tribute to one of the villages true pioneers.
Way back in 1930 Dick May came to Himeville and opened a garage in what had been Davey Malcomes store. Originally from Manchester, England, he had immigrated to South Africa and went to work for Stanely Motors in Durban, until he chose to open his own business in Himeville. Here he settled down and married Leslie McLean, raising two sons, Graham and Dennis.
For many years he provided vehicle sales and servicing, and even a taxi for a while when there were not many cars on the primitive roads in the district. In those days one could not think of Himeville without linking it to Mays Garage, where Dick was always helpful and on hand to sort out any number of problems with a willing smile, even after normal working hours. He was a veritable king pin in the life of the village and surrounding farms. As technology and communications improved, however the humble garage became Himeville Toyota under the guidance of Dennis, with Graham running the workshop. One of South Africa’s most successful franchises the business flourished selling vehicles as far away as Namibia until Dennis’s untimely death in 2003.
The old building which has been enlarged and modernised several times is now once more distinguished by the name of May’s Auto Centre and is home to the Mays Group Head Office which now owns a number of local companies.
The Mays Group today consists of:
- Mays Auto Centre, which includes Berg Engen and Berg Express Shops
- Farm Equipment & Garden Centre
- Peak Yamaha Himeville
- Tyres and More Underberg
- MGA Consultants
Bruces Riding History
I started riding at age 4 on a Z50 Honda monkey bike in 1976. All the locals would get together on the odd Sunday for some armature grass track racing, wearing old rugby jerseys, army or gum boots and any hat that was harder than a cap…
My first proper MX bike was a 1979 Honda CR 80 pocket rocket, and what a rocket it was. My first MX race was in ST Lucia in 1980. I continued to race Motocross until 1985 competing in most regional and some national events.
As high school took hold we migrated to local fun rides and enduros when the opportunity, after completing high school and National service I qualified as a Toyota technician. I then packed my bags for the Uk for a year of travelling. Which consisted of a 5month stint in London and a 5-month road trip (27000miles) around the USA.
On My return in 1996, I got an opportunity to help Denis Herwartson, who was competing in the British National Championship and MX Grand Prix’s on-board Kawasaki’s. This reunited me with my love for riding motorbikes. I then got Employed at HKS where I spent the next 7 years working on British Formulae 3, Group N British champs, World Rally, and custom sports cars. During this time, I bought my own MX bike which I competed in local regional MX in Northamptonshire and surrounding counties.
I returned to SA in late 2003 and started riding MX in 2004 in regional and National championships, this prompted me to open our Peak Yamaha business in Himeville. From these beginnings, I continued to race MX regional and nationally until 2012.
In 2012 the Roof of Africa was on my bucket list, and this prompted me to migrate to Enduro’s, Hare scrambles and Off-Road events. After 3 gold, 1 silver, and 1 Bronze Roof of Africa finishes, regional MX championships, regional Enduro Championships, and National Enduro Championships, riding motorcycles is still very much a favorite past time and hobby.
COVID-19 has pushed pause and forced us to reset for the past 2/3 years consolidating business and workflow, but riding motorcycles is what we do and will continue…