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Stuff from Johannesburg

GWM to showcase its growing vehicle portfolio at FoM

Johannesburg: GWM South Africa will return to the Festival of Motoring (FOM) at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit from 28 to 30 August 2026, with a broad showcase of SUVs and bakkies across four sub brands.

The Festival of Motoring has become an important fixture on South Africa’s automotive calendar, bringing together motoring enthusiasts, industry professionals, media and families for four days of vehicle displays, driving experiences and automotive entertainment. For GWM South Africa, the event provides an opportunity to demonstrate the breadth of its current growing portfolio across several key segments while demonstrating the capability of its vehicles in both road-going and off-road environments.

GWM will activate across Four key areas at this year’s event: its main pits stand, a dedicated 4×4 stand and the Self-Drive Area, with an additional Yellow Zone presence. The 4×4 stand will focus on the off-road capabilities of the GWM P-Series and TANK ranges, while the Self-Drive Area will give visitors the opportunity to get behind the wheel and experience selected GWM vehicles on a dedicated route.

The vehicle line-up will reflect the increasing breadth of the GWM portfolio in South Africa. Together, the line-up demonstrates GWM’s approach to serving a broad range of motoring needs, from everyday urban driving and electrified mobility to long-distance travel, bakkie capability and off-road adventure.

Floyd Ramabulana, Head of Marketing at GWM South Africa, said, “The Festival of Motoring gives us an opportunity to bring the breadth of the GWM portfolio together in one environment and engage with people who are genuinely interested in motoring. This year’s line-up reflects the brand’s growth ambition in both traditional and new energy segments”

GWM South Africa invites members of the public, motoring enthusiasts and media to visit its stands at the Festival of Motoring from 28 to 30 August and discover the latest products and developments from GWM.

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The Socio-Political Crucible of Soweto

You cannot understand Johannesburg without understanding Soweto (an acronym for South Western Townships). Originally established as a “labor dormitory” to house black miners away from the white city center, Soweto grew into a sprawling metropolis of over 1.3 million people and became the epicenter of the struggle against Apartheid.

The township is home to Vilakazi Street, the only street in the world to have been home to two Nobel Peace Prize winners: Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. It was also the site of the 1976 Soweto Uprising, when thousands of students protested against the forced use of Afrikaans in schools. The police response and the subsequent death of 13-year-old Hector Pieterson catalyzed international condemnation of the Apartheid regime. Today, Soweto is a vibrant cultural hub, blending historical landmarks like the Orlando Towers (now used for bungee jumping) with a booming tourism industry and a sophisticated middle class. It represents the city’s resilience—a place born from segregation that transformed into a symbol of liberation and modern South African identity.