How Philipstown's wire car racing documentary inspires community upliftment

In Philipstown, a small Karoo town in South Africa, a distinctive tradition of wire car racing is thriving, offering a spark of creativity and hope for the community. The quirky, homegrown event has captured international attention and is now the focus of a new global documentary, The Philipstown WireCar Grand Prix, set to premiere in October.

At the heart of the movement is the newly established Philipstown WireCar Foundation, which aims to turn the film’s global spotlight into real community upliftment. “The film highlights the town’s annual race, which for over 14 years has been a tiny beacon of hope for local youth,” says Alistair King, vice chair of the Foundation.

King says that what began as a creative project to explore the intersection of technology and human ingenuity evolved into something much greater when they discovered the race. Moved by the town’s determination, they shifted focus from documenting a story to helping the community reclaim and redefine its own narrative.

“It follows a group of young racers as they pour their hearts and imagination into building intricate cars from scrap wire, bottle caps and soft drink cans, preparing to compete in the only race of its kind in the world. More than just a competition, the race is a testament to their spirit, a source of pride, and a powerful metaphor for turning discarded materials into things of beauty and purpose.”

The documentary’s release coincides with the official launch of the Philipstown WireCar Foundation, which has already purchased and begun renovating a building in town to serve as a community hub and e-learning centre.

For Kay Fourie, co-founder of the original race and now the Foundation’s Chairperson, the initiative is deeply personal. Over a decade ago, Fourie saw the creativity in the wire cars that local children were crafting and sought to channel that imagination into something empowering.

“It was inspired by the uniqueness of the project as well as this question: what if these kids are seen by a wider audience, and what if they can be exposed to the wider world?”

When asked about the motivations behind creating the documentary, King and Fourie express a profound desire for the world to witness the town’s hidden gem.

“The realisation that Philipstown was sitting on a remarkable idea that no one knew about. Knowing that that idea, like a well-hidden talent, if packaged correctly and shared with the world, could change the fortunes of the town forever. That was our motivation. The world needed to see this in a way they would never forget.”

Both King and Fourie hope viewers will feel inspired by the resilience of the children at the heart of the documentary.

“People will be inspired by the film and the kids in it; of that I am certain. And have a little box of tissues handy. The viewer won’t necessarily feel pity but rather respect and admiration for the kids. They are proper athletes in an old but brand-new sport, and I think other kids will look up at them as heroes of sorts,” said King.

As the documentary paves the way for the next phase of this uplifting initiative, Fourie highlights its potential to influence future generations of innovators and makers in South Africa. 

“Thank you for asking about innovators and makers. The world has become so focused on information that we forget about the physical space that we find ourselves in. If one can succeed in combining the two meaningfully (computer skills applied to material skills), we can raise a generation ready for jobs and help create a better future, even if it is only on this tiny spot in the Northern Cape.”

In the documentary produced by Giant Films and Accenture Song, the community expressed deep gratitude and pride, feeling valued and recognised for their lives, and acknowledging the importance of being seen through this film.

anita.nkonki@inl.co.za

Saturday Star