BULELANI PUTS ESWATINI ON AFRICAN KARTING MAP

By Nonophile Khumalo

Eswatini’s emerging motorsport talent is gaining international attention as 20-year-old Mbabane-born karting driver Bulelani Shongwe prepares to represent the Kingdom at a major African karting event in Angola.

Shongwe will compete at the Karting Africa Showrun in Benguela, Angola, on October 10 and 11, racing alongside 39 drivers from 14 African countries.

His participation places Eswatini on a growing African motorsport platform while giving the young driver an opportunity to gain valuable international racing experience and exposure.

For Shongwe, representing his country is both a privilege and a source of pride.

“I am truly honoured and proud to be the first to represent my country in karting. It’s a privilege,” he says.

His journey into karting began with a childhood fascination with cars and driving. What started as a passion gradually developed into a serious ambition to pursue a career in motorsport.

“I discovered karting through my love for cars and my passion for driving. I have loved cars from a young age and always dreamed of doing something involving them,” he says.

That passion eventually became connected to his biggest ambition of competing in Formula One.

“I decided to take it seriously because I had dreams of pursuing a career in Formula One racing,” Shongwe says.

While pursuing his racing ambitions, Shongwe is also studying Business Management and Logistics in South Africa. Balancing his studies with training and competition requires discipline as he travels between Eswatini and South Africa as part of his development as a driver.

He says karting has taught him valuable lessons that extend beyond racing, including awareness, defensive driving and the ability to manage multiple responsibilities.

“It taught me self driving and awareness and defensive driving. It also taught me how to multitask,” he says.

WORR Motorsport founder and head coach Wesleigh Orr has played a role in Shongwe’s development, with the young driver’s attitude, commitment and willingness to learn standing out during his training.

The Angola event represents more than another race for Shongwe. His participation provides an opportunity to showcase Eswatini’s sporting talent on an international platform while highlighting the potential of motorsport as an avenue for youth development.

Sporting events can also contribute to destination visibility, bringing attention to countries through the achievements of their athletes. Shongwe’s appearance on the African karting stage adds another dimension to Eswatini’s growing sporting profile and its potential as a destination for sports-related experiences.

Shongwe hopes his performance in Angola will help shine a light on the talent emerging from Eswatini.

“I’m hoping to achieve recognition worldwide to represent what talent Eswatini has,” he says.

Dumisani Ntiwane, Senior Marketing and Communications Officer at the Eswatini Sport and Recreation Council, says Shongwe’s achievement sends an encouraging message to young people pursuing different sporting disciplines.

“As the umbrella body for sport, we fully support such endeavours, particularly those driven by our youth, who represent the future of every sporting code.”

Ntiwane adds that the development of karting could create opportunities across sport, tourism and related industries while encouraging more young people to explore motorsport.

For Shongwe, however, Angola is another step towards an even bigger dream.

“My ultimate dream is to be in Formula One and on the big screen.”

He also has a message for young people with ambitious goals.

“You can never dream too big, and with dedication, you can always achieve all your goals.”

When Shongwe takes to the track in Benguela on October 10, he will carry more than his personal ambitions. He will also carry the Eswatini flag, taking another step towards his Formula One dream while placing the Kingdom’s emerging motorsport talent on the African map.