Passion of car spinning

"Bungy jumping is more dangerous than spinning a car. To us it is a sport. It is like waking up and going to play golf. It is a way of relaxing after a hard day's work. People just don't understand us," the producer of the movie, Pule Motloung says.

Aptly titled Soweto Drift, the movie will take viewers into the life of a young spinner who aspires to achieve stardom by spinning cars, but whose journey is derailed when his older brother dies in a car accident.

His brother was the breadwinner in the family and the youngster is forced to look for a job to sustain the family instead of pursuing his passion for spinning cars.

Motloung says the movie was inspired by youngsters who spin cars in the township and whom people perceive as crazy or bad.

He believes that few people have ever researched the life of spinners and the movie will afford them an opportunity to better understand them.

"I have always been a big fan of movies such as Fast and Furious and Gone in 60 Seconds. I was bowled over by the fast cars. So I wanted to do a similar movie the South African way, and the only way of doing this was to portray the lives of spinners in the township," he reveals.

He adds: "Spinning cars is one niche market that is widely neglected."

Motloung says the movie has a realistic storyline. It is set for release early this year in cinemas and will feature at the Aluta Film Festival in Kimberley at the end of February.

In the opening scene a colourful funeral cortege, with noisy BMW's leading the procession, belies the sad occasion. It almost looks like a wedding.

It is the funeral of the brother of the spinner. The younger brother is torn between fending for his family and following in his brother's footsteps.

The movie is produced by a team of spinners, who understand the culture of this lifestyle.

As Motloung puts it: "Most people on the periphery know about us through hearsay. The movie will enlighten them."

Spinning Cars eKasi

Spinning cars are a norm eKasi. But the sport, if you want to call it that, has always been shrouded by the infamous thugs that drive the car synonymous with township car spinning, the BMW 325, otherwise known as Gusheshe.

I for one hated these guys when I was younger. I never thought I'd have a friend, who was involved in the "sport". Unfortunately or fortunately, depending on your point of view, I found out I have one.

Thabo (not his real name) and I grew up together in the east rand. We parted ways when he moved to Bloemfontein. I bumped into him a few weeks ago and last week he invited me to see the real life of car spinners. Reluctantly I did.

He picked me on sat morning to go attend a friend's funeral. After the funeral, to honour him, they spun their cars. Clouds of smoke covered the road as the air got thick with the smell of burning rubber.

After the stunt show we went to the after tears, where I was introduced to the Gusheshe family. To my surprise they welcomed me with open arms.

The afternoon was spent with the "boys" at Thabo's backyard; next to us pimped BMW 325's were parked in assorted colours. The topic of the day was how they could raise money to bail out one of their friends who was arrested earlier that week.

After a couple of drinks it dawned on me that I was probably amongst thieves wanted by the law. But as I looked at Thabo holding his kid and the brotherhood they genuinely felt for each other. I realised there was more to these people than what meets the eye.

Behind the pimped cars, the alcohol and women surrounding car spinning are guys who've made a family for themselves.

But don't get it twisted these are thieves probably wanted by the law...