Two elderly residents from the Parow Senior Centre/Hernus Kriel Centre in Bedford Street, Parow in Cape Town were recently afforded a once-in-a-lifetime experience — climbing into a high-performance car with an experienced driver behind the wheel, having the car manoeuvred at high speed, with its engine roaring and tyres smoking.

Badisa, a non-profit organisation (NPO) of which the centre in Parow is a branch, said residents Sannie van der Merwe (95) and Valerie Laubscher (81) visited the Killarney International Raceway where they took part in a form of motorsport that focuses on precision driving, Gymkhana, which involves participants navigating a timed course filled with obstacles such as cones, tight turns and technical manoeuvres. It is a skill-based discipline that combines speed, control, and accuracy and is a type of motorsport used by non-profit company Racing 4 Change in their community outreach events.

Badisa said the duo eargerly agreed to “take a spin” in the performance cars, as experienced drivers behind the wheel performed controlled gymkhana manoeuvres, proving that adventure and excitement truly have no age limit.

Donation

Racing 4 Change, which also incorporates drifting and drags, hosted a high-energy event at Killarney on Saturday 9 May, when they also presented the Hernus Kriel Centre with a donation of R10 000. The occasion also created an unforgettable opportunity for the two elderly ladies to take their seats in roaring performance vehicles, safely accompanied by experienced driver Johandre Duminy, said Baidsa spokesperson, Zoe Borchards.

“Aunty Sannie especially delighted the crowd by happily waving to onlookers,” she said, “while the car spun around in front of the audience, capturing the spirit of the day and winning hearts across the event.”

Both ladies described the experience as unforgettable, saying they were incredibly proud to add it to their growing list of life experiences and achievements. Since the event they have continued speaking enthusiastically about the opportunity, the warm welcome they received from everyone involved and the incredible atmosphere maintained throughout the day.”

One of the highlights for the women were discovering that the youngest participant at the event was only 5 years old, further reflecting the inclusive and family-oriented spirit created by the organisers.

Community upliftment

Racing 4 Change was founded by couples Leon and Monique Engelbrecht, Johan and Juanita Schade, and Abdul and Rehana Sayed. The NPC aims to bring upliftment through motorsport by supporting communities through fundraising initiatives, offering welding training and work opportunities, and sharing stories of impact through its “More Than Just Motoring” podcast, said Borchards.

“We wish we had millions to give away,” said Abdul Sayed, “but we know that every little bit counts towards making a difference.”

Organisers and supporters praised both women for their bravery and willingness to step outside their comfort zones, describing them as powerful examples of active ageing and community participation. Badisa also extended a heartfelt thank you to Racing 4 Change and all the organisers, not only for the generous donation, but also for creating such a meaningful and unforgettable experience for Sannie and Valerie.

“Their participation stands as a powerful reminder that life continues to offer moments of excitement, connection, and discovery at every stage,” said Borchards.

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