31 Aug 2026

A 15 year-old Shezaad Jacobs from South Africa stole the show at the annual Francistown Spin Show on Friday, leaving spectators begging for more after bursting several tyres mid-performance. 

Representing Team Baby Drivers, the teenager climbed into a BMW fitted with a QR engine and turned the Francistown spinning arena into his playground. 

By afternoon, the ground was already covered in tyre smoke and the roar of revving engines, mostly from the battered BMWs.

Shezaad slid, spun and drifted with confidence far beyond his age. 

Once one of his tyres blew, the crowd erupted, chanting for an encore as smoke billowed behind him. 

He was followed by South Africa’s Mahlala brothers, who kept spectators on their toes.

At one point, a passenger stood on the roof of their ragged BMW as it revved around the arena. Local spinner, Thabang “Boss Phiri” Phiri also showcased a good performance, making a sweet comeback with tight maneuvers resulting in thick clouds of smoke.

One first-time spectator was heard jokingly saying “I did not know Botswana had drivers who could outrun police after a bank robbery.”

As night fell, tyre sparks lit up the arena and the crowd grew even louder. 

Children who had come in large numbers enjoyed the night session more than the daytime heats.

South Africans Mohlale “Teka Famba” Jimmy and Gilbert Mohlala from Polokwane also delivered an impressing performance.

Dubbed “Bo Satani” by fans for their daring stunts that mixed spinning with crowd-pleasing tricks, they drew some of the biggest cheers of the day.

‘King Joe,’ real name Mothusi Alfred of Northside Crew, carried the local flag. 

He reversed and spun in perfect circles, proving why he is rated among the country’s best.

 “Spinning has fewer accidents than people think,” Mohlale said in an interview. 

The event also featured the crowd-favourite, Tom and Jerry segment, where two or more spinners shared the podium for synchronized runs.

Overall, South African drivers showed more experience, having started in the sport long before it was domesticated in Botswana. 

In a post interview, the organisers said that the show was a success, both in turnout and the atmosphere.

Amber Kierstead, the chief organiser said the event, which was in its second edition, was a legacy of his father, the late Alfred Kiestead, who was also a renowned spinner in his youthful years. The informal sector such as the street vendors benefited positively from the show, trading briskly to the large crowd that turned up. ENDS