Summarize

Saturday’s Northern Regions karting finale at Vereeniging’s Laserfiche Raceway was a poignant event for Paulshof’s 13 year old Mini Rok karting champion Kwanda Mokoena - it was his last race in the primary class that has treated him so well before he graduates full time to the high school classes. 

East London-born Mokoena took double Northern Regions Mini Rok 60cc and Maxterino 60cc Championships in 2015 before becoming double runner up in the 2016 South African Mini Rok and Maxterino championships, while also becoming among the youngest-ever Northern Regions high school Junior Rok 125cc champions that year. This year however proved to be the cherry on the top of Kwanda’s primary school karting career when he stormed to a dominant South African Mini Rok championship. 

“As I bid farewell to an illustrious time in my Mini Kart career, I feel humbled and honoured to have been part of such a competitive class and to race against some of the best drivers in the country,” Kwanda admitted. “It was no easy feat, but I grew in this class and I ended the year knowing that it took hard work, blood, sweat and tears to make it to the Rok Cup International Finals in Italy and beating over 160 of the world’s best drivers to the final, where I finished 28th in the World. 

 “I am super-proud of my achievements and I would like to thank God, my family Team Squadra Corse my right hand man Thabs and all those who contributed to help make my dreams come true of finally becoming a South African Mini Rok National Champion. “Also a big thank you to all my fellow competitors — you were all fantastic to race against and I wish you all the best as I move up next year.”

2018 is a big year for Kwanda on and off the track as he also finishes up junior school at Rivonia Primary and prepares for a whole new world at high school too.