They risk their lives to entertain spectators in a game of life and death which is becoming more and more popular.

The unusual visitors from Soweto left everyone in Limpopo with their mouths wide open when they conducted their first car spinning show, called Gusheshe in Full Swing, last Friday night.

Gusheshe is a street name for the old model BMWs. They call themselves Stunt Men Skilled Drivers and they use 1989 to 1991 325i BMWs to play the game of death. Five BMWs, all with Gauteng registration numbers, took part in the not-to-be-forgotten dangerous but entertaining show.

The Sibasa Social Club, near Thohoyandou, was turned into a Hollywood movie scene as the car spinners risked their lives with their impressive skills to entertain hundreds of shocked spectators. They would get out of the car, sit or stand on the door or roof and get back again while the car is travelling at high speed. The sound of the tyres, smoke and roaring engines comprised the activities of the day as the fearless car spinners displayed their skills in the popular game that is rapidly becoming more popular. The game started in Soweto in the early eighties in the graveyards where young men would spin cars as tribute to their dead friends.

The organizer of the Gusheshe in Full Swing show, David Tawana, said he decided to invite the expert spinners from Soweto to promote the sport in Limpopo. He admitted that the sport is dangerous but he claims that it is legal since he contacted the police, traffic officers and paramedics during the preparations for the show.

“The sport is new in Limpopo and we want our people to get used to it. It is more of an entertaining sport than the issue of playing with death, as other people would take it. Limpopo people, especially those in the far northern part, have never seen the sport and it was important to give them the best entertainment of their lives.”

Two car spinners who stole the show with their skills were Muzi Sebeko (30) and Jeff James (22), from Meadowlands and Diepkloof respectively. Muzi, a taxi owner, said he started spinning cars in 1989 in Soweto. “I just fell in love with the sport although my friends would tell me it was dangerous. We make sure that we are well trained for the safety of our spectators. The game was formerly associated with thugs but we are struggling to make it more social so that our people can accept it. Judged by the high attendance in Venda, it shows that people love the sport and we will continue to give them the best entertainment.”

Muzi said he participated in different shows in Soweto and he never went out of position two.

Jeff said it needs someone who is fearless to succeed in the sport. “You need to be bold and strong because this is not a game for the cowards. We observe all safety standards to avoid accidents. Spinning cars have always been my desire and it is the only game that I enjoy most in my life.”

Jeff refuted claims that the spinners use drugs to get rid of fear as the game is most dangerous. He says the game needs a lot of money as they have to replace tyres and engines from time to time.

“It is all about proper training and self-determination. We highly condemn the use of drugs and intoxicants as this would dent the image of our wonderful game…”

* The show was made possible through a sponsorship from DF Promotions & Marketing and AA China City.