GQEBERHA – The streets of the city are set to become a showcase of German engineering, motoring heritage and performance when 120 Porsches arrive in Gqeberha from 23 to 27 September.

The event is being coordinated by Karl Illenberger, president of the Porsche Club Parade and Porsche Club Eastern Cape.

“The first Porsche Club Parade was held in 1998 in Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha). I am so happy and proud to bring this national Porsche Club Parade back to PE,” said Illenberger.

All four Porsche clubs from across South Africa — Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and KuGompo City — will meet at the Courtyard Hotel in Summerstrand. Members from the wider Eastern Cape region, stretching towards Mossel Bay, will also take part.

The parade celebrates a shared passion for the Porsche marque, combining driving, friendship, motorsport and the opportunity to explore a different part of the country every two years.

Members will take part in an action-packed programme that includes an iconic social run, top-speed run, time trial, track day and Show & Shine, alongside a programme of social events and meals.

On Wednesday, 23 September, from 14:00, the 120 Porsches will arrive at the Courtyard Hotel, with the full convoy rolling into Summerstrand to officially kick off the parade.

The Porsche Club Parade 2026 promises to bring an unusual motoring spectacle to the city. Residents along the parade routes will have the opportunity to watch the procession as the vehicles make their way through Gqeberha.

Show and shine at Baywest

One of the main public events will be the Show & Shine at Baywest Mall on Thursday, 24 September, from 10:30 to 13:00 at the Upper Deck, Entrance 2. If the weather is poor, the display will move downstairs.

According to Illenberger, the public can expect to see a wide range of Porsche models, including 911s dating from 1971 to the latest 911 GT3 RS, as well as Boxsters, Caymans, Cayennes and Macans.

Visitors can also look forward to a “most beautiful Porsche” competition and the opportunity to get up close to the cars — and perhaps take a few selfies.

The event is expected to attract both Porsche enthusiasts and local families, offering a glimpse of a marque whose history stretches back 78 years, from the first 356 to the 911, introduced in 1963.

Fast action at Scribante Raceway

The second public event takes place at Scribante Raceway on Friday, 25 September, from 09:00 to 13:00. Entrance is free

Porsche drivers will put their cars and driving skills to the test on the circuit as participants compete to determine the fastest Porsche on the track.

With 120 Porsches moving around Gqeberha, motorists could encounter an extraordinary convoy on routes including Marine Drive and the N2.

The parade is being supported by several sponsors, including Gqeberha-based Detail My Ride, as well as XPEL, MUA Insurance, Bigfoot Express Freight and SafariProjek.

For Gqeberha, the arrival of 120 Porsches will provide a unique motoring spectacle, ranging from historic 911s to the latest high-performance machines.

The parade rotates every two years, with a different city where Porsche clubs are based hosting the event. The next time the Eastern Cape hosts the parade, it will be KuGompo City’s turn.

llenberger concluded, “Gqeberha will be the heart for four days of all Porsche enthusiasts and it’s all about this Porsche Ecosystem.”

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