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KZN Mini-car makers to take part in national box cart raceA superb last-minute collaborative effort between provincial and local government structures has enabled three local mini-car manufacturing stars to take part in a national box-cart race. The move is aimed at helping these young Midlands mini-car racing enthusiasts to represent the province in the prestigious box cart national race contest in Johannesburg organised by a company that produced a well-known energy drink. Government intervention in the lives of these highly talented self-employed youngsters, have confirmed that young people who exhibit exceptional talent can be given incentives to realise their fondest dreams. Now all eyes are on young S’phume Ndum’ndum’s box cart club from Ashdown in Pietermaritzburg.
The contest organisers and sponsors are scheduled to see their finished product on August 18 at the Pietermaritzburg head office of the KZN Department of Transport and Pietermaritzburg City Hall respectively before the race on September 14 this year. KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport CEO, Dr Kwazi Mbanjwa, has offered a cheque of R2 500 to meet the team’s basic race box cart building requirements i.e. acquiring metal, iron, and second hand vehicle parts. The Pietermaritzburg/Umsunduzi Municipality has made a generous offer of sponsoring the three-member team’s travelling and hotel expenses totalling to R15 000 whist they are in Johannesburg for the duration of the racing competitions. The contest organisers have already approved the vehicle design of Ndum’ndum’s team. The small vehicles at the contest will be moved and controlled downhill along 440 metres by human-power. The limit per team amongst the 100 participating teams from all over the country will be four people per vehicle and a maximum of four teams per province. Government interest in encouraging youth racing contest can be seen in the light of youth development and the promulgation of safety practice on our roads. KZN Transport Minister, Mr S’bu Ndebele, has repeatedly warned that youngsters are discouraged from organising impromptu and illegal racing competitions on public roads. This is due to the fact that illegal racing contests threaten the safety of the contestants and the public. That is why the Department welcomes the new box cart race because it is legal and is expected to observe safety regulations. Mr Ndebele has welcomed the race as "yet another demonstration of what government and business can do to develop our people, especially our new generation, who must need take over the reigns of power in politics, business and social institutions after us. " "The Zulu saying, Inkunzi isematholeni, that is, the bull is in the calves, is the driving force behind the natural inclination in adults who are in positions of authority to find it necessary to expose, nurture and promote youngsters who show exceptional qualities," he added. The criteria for taking part in the competitions involves submitting a drawing that shows the design and showmanship of the vehicle that must not be more than 100kg. "Our vehicle will be 38.8kg so that it moves easily and faster," said Ndum’ndum. Participating teams are encouraged to design hand-made robots or any road-related image. The organisers provide safety clothes for contestants.
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"We are determined to win this competition – if we do
not get first prize, it has to be the second prize," enthused 15-year old
Ndum’ndum. The prizes include a R45 000 cheque to the winning team and an
opportunity to go overseas.
