Botswana’s capital is gearing up for a motorsport spectacle of a kind it has never seen on local shores. Following a successful Gabs CBD test run of the Posh Afrika road test, Gaborone has officially been confirmed as the host city for the full event, scheduled for May next year. If the recent preview was anything to go by, enthusiasts can expect a high-adrenaline showcase featuring multiple performance categories, topped by the headline-grabbing Porsche GT3 Cup races. The test session, staged in the heart of the Central Business District (CBD), drew large crowds of motorsport fans, officials from the Gaborone City Council and Ministry of Sports and Arts, as well as event organisers eager to validate the viability of hosting a full-scale street race. Porsche GT3 Cup machines thundered through the temporary route, giving spectators a taste of what the main event will deliver. Speaking at a media briefing held at Protea Hotel ahead of the test, event organiser Dr Marape Marape said the idea for the race was inspired by a benchmarking tour to South Africa’s iconic Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit, undertaken with city officials including Gaborone Mayor Oarabile Motlaleng. “We witnessed a spectacle of racing at Kyalami, a level we aspire to reach. With the support of our partners, we believe we can make meaningful strides toward that standard,” Dr Marape said. He thanked Botswana Motorsport President Kagiso Modibedi for the association’s support, describing the organisation as a crucial partner in bringing the event to life. Marape also praised South African GT3 Cup racers Mohsin ‘Mo’ Mia and Sun Moodley for transporting their high-value machines to Botswana at significant personal cost. “These gentlemen embraced the project even before sponsorship was secured. Their mentorship and sacrifice mean a great deal to us,” he added. According to Marape, several potential sponsors have already expressed interest, with early projections showing substantial economic benefits for the city. Hotels and hospitality providers have begun preparing quotations “running into millions,” signalling a major tourism boost. Botswana Motorsport President Kagiso Modibedi reaffirmed his federation’s backing and expressed pride in seeing a major motorsport project initiated by local organisers. “We have an open-door policy. We will not push back against an event of this magnitude being driven by our own people. Motorsport must contribute to tourism, and we’re ready to support this fully,” he said. Through its FIA affiliation, Modibedi said the federation would help elevate the Gaborone race to meet international GT series standards. Gaborone City Mayor Oarabile Motlaleng welcomed the initiative, saying the city was excited to host the test event and looking forward to preparing for the full race next year. “We want our roads to be world-class. These cars don’t want potholes, let alone speed humps. We will work to ensure the route is safe, smooth and appealing,” he said. He added that the event will significantly benefit the city’s hospitality industry, with accommodation providers already anticipating increased demand. South African GT3 Cup driver Mohsin Mia praised the organisers’ determination, acknowledging the complexity of hosting a large-scale street race. “Turning a dream into reality isn’t easy. There were doubts on both sides, but the organisers showed they can make a plan,” he said. Fellow driver Sun Moodley applauded Botswana’s continued development and expressed enthusiasm for being part of the early stages of what could grow into a major regional motorsport attraction. “Each year I visit, I see progress. It feels good to be part of this trial, and everyone we meet is very friendly. We want to help grow motorsport in Botswana,” he said. Public enthusiasm proved to be high during the test and international support is expected to grow ahead of the event. The organisers expressed confidence that the Posh Afrika Race will establish itself as one of Southern Africa’s most exciting new motorsport events.