-
A car spinning at an event
The Lemo Fest Spin Explosion aims to keep young people busy and off the streets, according to the founder, Freddie Kenny. Kenny says the Bloemfontein-based festival is aimed at contributing to the revival of the township economy, under the theme “Re ya Kasi”.
The festival is in its third year and has created temporary employment for many young people, with hopes to ultimately attract investors into Mangaung.
The air at Bochabela Arena in Bloemfontein was filled with the strong smell of burning tyres as car spinners mesmerised the excited crowds.
The Lemo Fest Spin Explosion showcased some of the best spinning talents in the country, with intriguing stunts from performers.
Those who have been in the sport for years say they are driven by passion and hours put into training.
Iksaan Khan, a spinner from Johannesburg, says, “And it’s just the runaround rush and the fun of being inside while sliding sideways. So, the controlled chaos, that’s what makes us love is what. Oh, it is a bit dangerous, but obviously, we’ve been doing it, and the more thriving time you have, the better you get. So yeah, it becomes easy. It’s like when you start riding a bicycle, you fall down and then you get both of you things. And after that, yeah, we can try it like magic.”
Another car spinner from Johannesburg, Veejaro Vernon, says a tyre burst is a must during the stunts.
“Because after spinning, it seems like you guys have to change. Yeah. So, like, this is a good share. Some guys spend with friends, we spend with real wheels, and after every session, we pass the tyres, the tyres must pass, because that is the nick of the sport. So, when the tyres pass, we replace them and we go in again.”
The brains behind bringing the Spin Explosion to Bloemfontein, Siyabonga Mboxwane, says it’s aimed at dispelling negative connotations associated with spinning cars.
“With this program, I came about to avoid, to help the kids avoid social misconduct and create awareness of cars, you know? And spinning is not only for gangsters, and we have mechanics coming out of spinning. We have good drivers coming out, and the plan is for us to grow it to greater heights and create a platform for the future generation, to have an academy of some sort, where they can learn about spinning and about all these conversions. Now, this will also help them to stay away from the speed. And you know, as we know, our country is facing difficulties, drug abuse. So, this initiative was brought forward to help with such.”
The organizer of the Lemo Fest Spin explosion, Freddy Kenny, says the show is all about bringing the community together.
The Lemo Fest Spin Explosion brings to an end a two-week-long arts, culture and music festival. The festival will close off the year with an SMME expo in November.
