When it comes to communities on the Cape Flats, there is much that is needed, and Bobby Nitro is always encouraged when the karkoppe stand up and do their part.
After all, if the petrolheads show they are willing to contribute, the thousands of adoring fans might take their lead and help out too.
Just last weekend, after an NGO called Supporting People in Need (SPIN) had heard about a project that Lentegeur CPF was getting going at the Lentegeur east Police Station, the spinners came out for the cause.
Bobby spoke to Byron de Villiers, the chairperson of the CPF, about a victims support room they are hosting in conjunction with the police station.
He says: “In the area, we see rape, abuse, domestic violence and abandoned children.”
When these victims come to the station, they are naturally traumatised.
Byron adds: “So we’ve set up a room for them to start their recovery, that has some creature comforts, coffee, tea and sugar. A place of safety.
“Our drive, and SPIN has helped out here, is to get donations as well as to create awareness that this facility is available.”
“We have some volunteers who have been trained in trauma counselling, but with five to 10 traumatised people coming in every day, sometimes more, we struggle to get enough volunteers.”
GREEN MACHINE: Sabber Lawrence spinning in his Honda-powered Ford Escort. Picture: Supplied.
On Saturday, the spinners rolled up at The Hills for a kwaai practice session, The theme of the day was “let’s collect toiletries to stock the CPF support room”, and it went well. All drivers who participated brought donations, as did others.
Of course, tyres were properly shredded, a smoke haze shrouded the proceedings, and the local mense came out for entertainment mayhem.
Byron adds: “Spinning draws a big crowd, especially in the coloured community. There was a drift car there that had everyone looking, young and old.”
It makes sense for the CPF to leverage the crowd-pulling ability of Spin to get their message out. In addition, says Byron, there is this remarkable decrease in crime while the spinning is happening. Makes sense.
There were some media guys present with the likes of Ernest Page from Performance with Page, as well as Zaid “Uncle Figo” Kriel who was there for his first time, bringing another videographer along, Ryan van Eden.
These guys help to get the message out that spin is alive and kicking hard on the Flats and the closer we get to having a dedicated pitch, the better.
PRECISION: Typie Khan tested his skills on pitch. Picture: Supplied.
SPIN and its executive work tirelessly to maintain a positive outlook around the sport previously seen as “barbaric” and to change the stigma. As a group, it can be said that spinners are more than happy to use the sport to uplift the community.
Bronny White, something of a Cape drift and spin hero, says: “I had a ball of a time, made even better by the knowledge we were supporting a good cause.”
Dale Saayman, a spinner from Elsies River who started out last year in his V6 Sapphire, says it was his first time at The Hills. He says: “I loved driving the venue. I’ve been before to watch and this was my first drive. I like the way they really pay attention to safety, as well as the obstacles on the pitch that help to sharpen my driving talents.”
KRAG: Mazda Capella powered by a VW Golf motor. Picture: Supplied.
Byron, of the CPF, adds: “As we need volunteers urgently, we even offer a basic training in the counselling needed. Call me on 071 449 5496 should you be interested in learning and helping out.”
Spinners entertain and bring people together, and anything is possible when a community stands together as one.