What Bobby Nitro finds most refreshing about the influence of women in Cape motoring is that it strengthens the essence of what’s really behind the crews and clubs and that is the drive for community outreach.
Bobby spoke to Nahwaal Moses, the convenor of a new grouping of car lovers from across the Cape called LOWstad, after their recent charity initiative that saw a convoy of kwaai cabbies bring relief and warmth to the elderly.
Last weekend, LOWstad collected blankets and other warm things and delivered them to the Beacon Valley Frail Care Centre in Mitchells Plain.
Nahwaal says: “LOWstad was formed just two months ago and was not a club or crew, rather we’re a community, and represent people from different clubs all under the guiding light of getting together to give back to the community, to give advice to one another about our cars and, yes, we all like to drive low and are in it for the love of the game.”
VENUE: Petrolkoppe joined in to assist the elderly at this M.Plain seniors centre. Photo: Donovan Rudolph.
Nahwaal gets to the heart of the matter quickly, saying: “If you look at it, the cars we drive and our love for them are what brings us together, people get that important feeling of belonging in a community. In short, we pull a crowd, but what then? As individuals, you can do only so much, but as a tight community we can do so much more, and we are using that group energy to do something useful, to reach out and help in the community.”
Nahwaal, who drives a gorgeous blue gedropte Scirocco currently undergoing its next makeover, also speaks of the fact that drivers of modded cars are viewed as role models. She says: “There’s this group of kids who follow me around. It’s not just about the car, they buy into what we do as people. So we become role models, and in Cape Town, it’s vital to watch out for what kids are getting up to. We hope to give them something to aspire to.”
STARTING YOUNG: Little Zara Moses assisting mom with collecting donations. Photo: Donovan Rudolph.
LOWstad planned the handover event, calling out to various clubs to join, and on the day the convoy met at Westridge Mall to drive through to the frail care centre. They were welcomed by the lady in charge, spent some time chatting to the people there while delivering the blankets, socks and other warm goed.
The car crews/clubs that came together under the LOWstad umbrella on Sunday were Lexus Owners Club Cape Town, Toy Lovers Society, Polo Society, VW Caddy Nation, Static Nation, Cape Polo Squad, Airvolution, Polo 9n Owners and Dubnatics.
REV IT UP: LOWstad puts the pedal to the metal where it comes to giving back. Photo: Donovan Rudolph.
The admin clerk at the frail care centre had only good things to say about the mense who came to help. She says: “They were fantastic. People don’t come out to help us like that, we were so happy and impressed.”
Nahwaal says: “It’s never a happy [moment] to see elderly people, as some can appear lonely, but they were so appreciative to have visitors. It was good to have my children there. I believe there are about 160 elderly people in the centre and I’m guessing they need a lot more than we brought. There are many centres like this across the Cape. I’d like to go back, but this time I’ll contact the centre upfront and ask them what they really need. We learn as we go along.”
KWAAI: Nahwaal Moses’ ride. Photo: Donovan Rudolph.
The frail care centre adds that other products they really need in frail care are kimbies and toiletries.
This is not their first outreach initiative. LOWstad has also been at the Youth Solution Centre to drop off food items and given out blankets to the homeless on Cape Town Parade.
Bobby really applauds such initiatives in our communities and sends a big shout out to the LOWstad community. Keep it coming, mense.