Car Spinning Evolves from Township Pastime to Mainstream Sport in South Africa

Car spinning began in the 1980s in Soweto, South Africa, where participants used stolen cars to perform spins at funerals as tributes. The practice has since evolved into a structured motorsport that attracts large crowds.

A picture essay examines the car-spinning scene, focusing on the BMW 325i model at Johannesburg’s Wheelz n Smoke arena. One report described car spinning as a form of identity and aspiration that reflects discipline, creativity, and community. The activity transforms urban areas in Johannesburg into spaces for performance.

sports minister, Gayton McKenzie, has contributed to bringing the sport into the mainstream. McKenzie, who previously engaged in car spinning, served seven years in prison after a period as a gangster. His ministry has promoted the sport in recent years, according to a BBC report.