The second annual Park and Chill has officially raised the bar, and judging by the turnout, Eswatini’s love affair with car culture is only getting stronger.
More than 300 car enthusiasts descended at Goldwagen parking in Matsapha for a day of stunning builds, roaring sound systems, music, food, entertainment and plenty of automotive bragging rights. After the success of the inaugural edition, the second Park and Chill came back bigger, better and louder, cementing its place as one of the country’s most exciting motoring gatherings.
Bigger crowd, bigger builds, bigger energy
From as early as 2pm, car owners began rolling into the venue, with many arriving early to secure prime spots inside.
By the afternoon, Goldwagen Parking was buzzing with an impressive mix of stance cars, spinning machines and some of the most recognisable VW, BMW E30 and Toyota builds in the country.
Park and Chill was not only about what was already familiar. The second edition attracted an impressive contingent of enthusiasts from South Africa, giving local petrolheads the opportunity to get up close with cars rarely seen on Eswatini’s roads. Among the international guests was South African car enthusiast Jermaine Manoo Williams, who arrived in style with his famous drop-top BMW 325i Alpina. He was joined by friends who brought along a pillarless BMW 325i, a build that had never been seen in the country before, as well as the car famously known in South African car circles as ‘Gxluva GP’.
More than just cars
What made this year’s event stand out was how much Park and Chill has evolved beyond a traditional car show, it has become a lifestyle experience. Food and beverage stalls kept the crowd fuelled throughout the day, with Bliss Burger drawing plenty of attention while Dirty Fries added its own flavour to the experience. The Late Bar also contributed to the atmosphere with its cocktail selection.
Major brands and businesses joined the festivities, with MTN Eswatini showcasing its OMODA vehicle, currently up for grabs as part of its Cash&Keys promotion. United Holdings, Carrots and Diskibet were also among the businesses supporting the event.
When the cars became the competition
Of course, no Park and Chill would be complete without some serious competition.
The Low Limbo was one of the crowd favourites, with spectators watching closely as some of the country’s lowest builds took on the challenge.
Eswatini’s car culture is alive and kicking
For organiser Mlondi Mpanza, the growth from the first Park and Chill to the second edition was a clear indication that Eswatini has a motoring community hungry for events that celebrate its passion.
Mpanza expressed his excitement at the response, thanking the enthusiasts who came out in numbers and everyone who supported the initiative and perhaps that is the biggest story coming out of Park and Chill.
If the second edition is anything to go by, the question is no longer whether Park and Chill will return. It is simply how much bigger can it get?
When the dust settled, the winners included:
Low Limbo – Static: Sibane Zwane
Low limbo – Air suspension:
Smally maMillion Ntshalintshali
Cleanest car: Zukela Mthupha –
Toyota Quantum “Detective 911”
Crowd pleaser: Nkosikhona
Nxumalo of Hakuna Matata
Loudest sound system: Meloe
Mavimbela
King of stance: Sisekelo Malinga
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