WeeklySA_AdminSPINNING McKENZIE
Newly appointed Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has a bold vision for South Africa: to make car spinning one of the country’s premier sports. “There’s one promise I’ve made: I will make spinning one of the biggest sports in this country. Spinning and stance are not crimes. Spinning is going to enter the rightful place. To all the spinners, I am here and I’ll make sure you get recognised,” McKenzie declared in a viral video.Car spinning, a unique South African motorsport, involves driving cars in circles at moderate speeds while performing daring stunts. It originated in Soweto in the late 1980s as a funeral ritual to honour the deceased. Today, it’s a recognized sport with competitions and professional drivers who perform for crowds and judges, earning points for their skill and bravery. Drivers often perform stunts like hanging out of windows or standing on moving cars.
SORRY, WE PREFER CHINESE
South Africa’s carjacking landscape is shifting as Chinese vehicles, once rarely targeted by criminals, are now becoming a prime focus. This trend directly reflects the growing popularity of Chinese car brands in the country. In an interview with Newzroom Afrika, Fidelity Services Group CEO Wahl Bartmann confirmed that hijackings involving Chinese cars rose during the first half of 2024 compared to both the same period in 2023 and the latter half of last year. Bartmann attributes this to the simple logic of supply and demand. The rise in demand for Chinese vehicles in South Africa is undeniable. Brands like BAIC, Beijing, Chery, GWM, Haval, Jaecoo, and Omoda have all seen significant sales growth in recent years. This trend aligns with hijacking statistics, which often show a correlation between stolen vehicles and the best-selling cars on the road.
KHOSI COSIES TO OMODA
To celebrate its first year, Omoda has partnered with Khosi Nkosi, a renowned fashion brand. Together, they’ve unveiled a collection of eye-catching car-wrap designs. Khosi Nkosi’s signature style – a vibrant blend of contemporary fashion and African heritage – perfectly complements Omoda’s #ArtInMotion philosophy.The collaboration brings Khosi Nkosi’s unmistakable designs to life on the sleek curves of the C5. Three unique wraps, each embodying Omoda’s celebration of cultural diversity through design, have been created. ‘Thando’, which means ‘love’, captures the essence of connection, while ‘Unathi’ reflects the spirit of togetherness. Finally, ‘Nkosazane’, translates to ‘African princess’, adding a touch of regal flair.
GOODBYE DRIVING LICENCE CARD
South Africa should scrap the driving licence card and replace it with a digital-only permit that never expires. That is the view of Rob Handfield-Jones, road safety expert and managing director of driving skills company Driving.co.za. Handfield-Jones argues that road deaths have only worsened in South Africa since the implementation of expiring driving licence cards. Therefore, they serve no purpose.“Rather, the problem is the Road Traffic Management Centre’s refusal to give up the revenue streams that go with analogue document production.”
BMW M FEST IS BACK
After the standard two-year hiatus, South Africa’s premier car festival is roaring back to life. The BMW M Fest 2024 is set to take place at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in Johannesburg from October 25t to 27. This event is a tribute to BMW’s high-performance M division, celebrated by car enthusiasts worldwide. M Fest is more than just an event; it’s an experience. Over the course of a weekend, attendees can expect a mix of thrilling activities, from hot laps and jaw-dropping stunts to live entertainment and much more. The festival lineup is packed with highlights. Visitors can explore BMW and BMW Motorrad showrooms, with opportunities for immediate car and motorcycle purchases. Thrill-seekers can partake in M-Hot laps, M-Drift rides, and test drive experiences. The latest round of the BMW Car Club racing series will also take place over the weekend, adding to the excitement
