KAROO TOWN’S YOUTH DRIVE THEIR OWN FUTURE IN NEW DOCUMENTARY
In the heart of South Africa’s Karoo region, a vibrant tradition of ingenuity and resilience is driving a struggling town towards a new future. The story of Philipstown and its unique draadkar (wire car) racing culture is now being shared on a global stage in the new feature documentary, The Philipstown WireCar Grand Prix, launching during October.
The film chronicles the small town’s incredible journey of hope and serves as the cornerstone of a multifaceted initiative to create sustainable change. Spearheaded by the newly established Philipstown WireCar Foundation , the foundation aims to channel global attention from the film into tangible support, with all proceeds funding vital upliftment programmes for the community’s youth.
Alistair King, Vice Chair of the Philipstown WireCar Foundation, says the film shines a global spotlight on the town’s annual wire car race – an event that, for over 14-years has been a tiny beacon of hope for local youth. “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.”
A tradition born from necessity
The Philipstown WireCar Grand Prix was born over a decade ago out of a desire to create something positive in a town grappling with unemployment and a sense of despondency. Kay Fourie, a co-founder of the original event and now Chairperson of the Philipstown WireCar Foundation, saw the inherent creativity in the wire cars the children were already making.
“Philipstown is an impoverished town with a lot of social and economic problems, and there was a collective feeling of hopelessness. We saw these kids building incredible toys for themselves out of nothing, and we decided to give them an opportunity, one day a year, to compete and celebrate their skill. It was about creating a moment of pride and self-worth. We never imagined it would one day reach the world.”
The wire car tradition itself is a uniquely African form of ingenuity, passed down through generations. The complex, handcrafted machines the youth build feature chassis, steering mechanisms, and custom designs, often built from memory after seeing a real car pass through town. The documentary captures this raw creativity in breathtaking detail, showcasing the skill and passion that go into every single creation.
Amplifying a local story for global impact
The project took on a new dimension when a creative team, led by advertising veteran King, discovered the race. Initially conceived as a creative project to showcase the intersection of technology and human creativity the team was so moved by the town’s spirit that the mission evolved into a movement to empower Philipstown to own its story.
“When we first visited, the kids just blew my mind,” says King. “They have next to nothing, yet they don’t dwell on it. They have this incredible passion for racing and imaginations that are simply boundless. We realised that this brilliant idea, this best-kept secret of a race, deserved to be owned by them and taken to a level that could have a very material impact on the community. Our role was simply to explode their idea in a way that would make the world see and care. The film delivers more than a few beautiful surprises.”
The documentary, produced by Giant Films and Accenture Song, became the perfect vehicle for this. It’s a story told from the inside out, celebrating the community’s spirit without shying away from its struggles. King adds that the wire itself became a central metaphor. “A piece of discarded wire is rusting and of little use. But if you pick it up and work with it, it can be made into something beautiful. That became a symbol for the community, for the kids, and for what this foundation aims to do.”
A future in the making
The launch of the documentary coincides with the official launch of the Philipstown WireCar Foundation. The foundation is the heart of the entire initiative, ensuring that the project’s impact is lasting and meaningful. It has purchased a modest building in the town, which it is renovating to become a community hub and e-learning centre.
“My dream is for this foundation to become a centre of excellence where we can train kids and provide them with real employement opportunities,” says Fourie. “We want to offer everything from computer skills and robotics training to driving licence programmes and social support. This is about building a future where the next generation has prospects they never would have had otherwise.”
The race goes interactive – a game and e-commerce store on the horizon
To further engage a global audience and create ongoing revenue streams for the foundation, the project will soon expand into the digital and retail worlds.
Coming soon, the WGP Mobile Game, is a digital recreation of the real-life WireCar Grand Prix. Players worldwide will be able to experience the thrill of racing a wire car through a digitally twinned Philipstown, competing against its local champions. The game will be free to play, with optional in-app purchases, like unique car customisations, with all proceeds going directly to the foundation’s programmes.
Furthermore, an e-commerce platform will launch, offering authentic, handcrafted wire cars made by artisans in Philipstown, merchandise and other local art. This will create a direct economic engine for the community, allowing people to own a unique piece of African artistry while supporting the town’s revival.
Through a powerful documentary, an innovative game, and a dedicated foundation, the Philipstown WireCar Grand Prix is more than just a race. It is a story of how a small town’s tradition, fuelled by imagination and supported by a global community, can drive real and lasting change.
Watch the trailer for the Philipstown WireCar Grand Prix below:
