Ridgewin Mukhithi Ratshilavhi (37) of Tshiozwi, outside Louis Trichardt, has always dreamed of building his own car since he was 12 years old. Today, Ridgewin is the toast of his village when he drives around the village in his own home-made car.

The car, named Go Kart, took Ridgewin one year to complete. It is powered with a generator engine. He said he decided to put his dreams into reality to display that even folks from the rural areas are gifted, regardless of their poor backgrounds and lack of resources.

Ridgewin, who survives by repairing wheelbarrows, said he first made his car when he was very young. "I made bicycles, helicopters and other cars but none of them had an engine. I decided to create something to express my artistic ideas."

He explains how he built his car. "I am a self-taught welder and it was easy for me to assemble the discarded parts that I picked up from the local dump. I also used the tyres of an old grass cutter and finally installed a generator engine to power the car." He said he used the chain of a motorcycle to transfer power from the generator engine to the wheels. "This car is automatic and I have also equipped it with a light because I also travel during the night."

He said people look at him in disbelief when he drives around the village. "Some even ask me for a ride because they admire my car. Everyone likes it and I feel happy when travelling around. I sometimes drive to Louis Trichardt and everyone was surprised. But I was deeply hurt when traffic officers told me that they didn’t want to see my car on the public road again."