BY PHUMELELE GAMEDZE
MBABANE – At just 20, Bulelani Shongwe is set to make Eswatini’s mark on Africa’s karting stage when he lines up against 39 drivers from 14 countries in Angola next month.
The Mbabane born driver will represent Eswatini at the Karting Africa Showrun in Benguela on October 10 and 11, taking a childhood love for cars onto one of the continent’s biggest karting platforms.
For Bulelani, the trip is not simply another race. It is a chance to show that young emaSwati can compete beyond the country’s borders and dream of reaching the highest levels of motorsport.
“I am truly honoured and proud to be the first to represent my country in karting. It’s a privilege,” he said.
His journey began with a fascination for cars during childhood, but what started as an interest has developed into a serious ambition to compete professionally.
Today, Bulelani travels between Eswatini and South Africa for training and competitions while pursuing Business Management and Logistics.
Behind the excitement of racing, he says karting has also shaped his discipline, concentration and ability to make quick decisions.
“It taught me self driving and awareness and defensive driving. It also taught me how to multitask,” he said.
His development has been strengthened through the support of WORR Motorsport Academy founder and head coach Wesleigh Orr, who has helped sharpen his racing skills and expose him to competitive motorsport.
The Benguela event will now place the young driver among competitors from across Africa, giving him an opportunity to gain international experience while putting Eswatini’s emerging motorsport talent in the spotlight.
The Eswatini Sport and Recreation Council has welcomed his progress, saying young people pursuing different sporting codes are important to the future of sport in the country.
“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,” said Senior Marketing and Communications Officer Dumisani Ntiwane.
But Bulelani is not stopping at Africa.
His sights are firmly set on international recognition and, ultimately, Formula One.
“I’m hoping to achieve recognition worldwide to represent what talent Eswatini has,” he said.
“My ultimate dream is to be in Formula One and on the big screen.”
That dream may still be a long road away, but Benguela represents another important lap in his journey.
As he prepares to take to the track in October, Bulelani will race as an individual, but he will also carry the Eswatini flag and the aspirations of young emaSwati who believe their dreams can take them beyond the country’s borders.
His message to them is simple:
“You can never dream too big, and with dedication, you can always achieve all your goals.”
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(Courtesy Pic)
