MyJHB

Stuff from Johannesburg

Jeep®, Fiat, Peugeot, Opel, Citroën, Abarth and Alfa Romeo on display

Centurion, 24 August 2022 – South Africans are keen to get back out there into the exciting experiences the world of motoring has to offer – sights, smells, and exhilaration – that just aren’t the same behind a computer screen. And Stellantis brands are answering the call at the 2022 Festival of Motoring at Kyalami in Johannesburg this week.

Jeep®, Fiat, Peugeot, Opel, Citroën, Abarth, and Alfa Romeo will all be out in force, whether on display for viewing pleasure and to interact with the brands; or whether to experience them on either the race track or 4×4 track – all the Stellantis brands are expected to wow South Africans eager for motoring thrills.

“The 2022 Festival of Motoring is the first real opportunity for the South African motor industry to engage with the public at large in one thrilling showcase since the beginning of 2020,” says Leslie Ramsoomar, Managing Director Stellantis South Africa. “Who’s more excited – our brand teams or visitors – remains to be seen!”

The Festival of Motoring takes place at the Kyalami Grand Prix circuit from 26 to 28 August and delivers the largest industry-supported motor show in Africa, uniting the automotive community by bringing together key industry players, motoring enthusiasts, and consumers shopping for a new ride. Over 150 exhibitors are expected to celebrate all things motoring, satisfying all the senses.

Come experience the Jeep Gladiator Rubicon and Peugeot Landtrek Double Cab on the 4×4 track and take in the awesomeness of the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee L. The Pitlane will entice the speed-seekers with Peugeot’s new GT Line in 2008, 3008 and 208 guise, so take the chance to experience how these amazing new cars drive along with Alfa Romeo’s beautiful Giulia and Stelvio. The Citroën C5 Aircross will be on display along with Fiat’s ever-popular 500 Sport and 500X Sport, while the Abarth 595 Competizione will inevitably surprise many more powerful machines on the track.

“We really look forward to engaging with our customers this week as we share our news and listen to their feedback,” says Ramsoomar. “Our constantly improving customer satisfaction journey continues and the Festival of Motoring provides a great opportunity for us to share our news directly with existing and potential customers. Come visit us!”

Category:

The Wilds: Rebirth

The “rebirth” of The Wilds is one of the most heartening community success stories in modern Johannesburg history. It was spearheaded by local artist James Delaney and a dedicated group of volunteers starting around 2013. Delaney began by simply clearing dead wood and trimming overgrown paths on his own, but the project soon evolved into a massive public-private partnership. The most iconic addition to the park during this revival was the installation of over 100 laser-cut steel sculptures of animals. These brightly colored owls, giraffes, antelopes, and monkeys are perched in the trees and tucked behind rocks, turning a walk through the reserve into a scavenger hunt for “industrial wildlife.”

Today, The Wilds is a thriving, safe, and dog-friendly space that hosts yoga classes, art exhibitions, and thousands of visitors every weekend. It has become a symbol of “active citizenship”—the idea that the residents of Johannesburg don’t have to wait for the government to fix their city; they can take ownership of their own neighborhoods. The park is also a critical ecological corridor; in a city that is increasingly paved over, The Wilds provides a habitat for indigenous birdlife and insects that would otherwise struggle to survive in the “concrete jungle.”