From Mpumalanga to the history books, Samkeliso ‘Sam Sam’ Thubane, the first official Red Bull spinning athlete in the world, continues climbing the ladder to stardom.

Sam Sam is not only putting the province on the map, he is flying the South African flag internationally. He is the first driver to win the Red Bull Shay’iMoto twice in a row.

Originally from outside Hazyview, this global icon is taking centre stage and continues to do skids in various countries.

He is known for his jaw-dropping stunts in his BMW E30 ‘Gusheshe’, including exiting his car from the sunroof and the boot while it is spinning. He has won numerous spinning competitions, the most notable being the television series So You Think You Can Spin, where he beat 300 other contestants.

Last year, he headed to Austria, where he showcased his skills on the global stage at the grand reopening of Hangar-7.

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Thubane was featured in an episode of Carte Blanche on January 4, during which he talked about his journey. He said he was nervous when he had to go onto the pitch in Austria. “I was very far from home. Everyone was curiously waiting to see what this boy is going to do.”

He fell in love with the sport when he would see people doing it with the BMW E30 in his area.

“Lucky enough my father also loved the same thing. So he bought me a BMW E30 and the rest is history.”

All his vehicles are designed in South Africa and shipped wherever he is going. Team Numbi takes care of his cars and makes sure they are in top condition.

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Thubane was mentored by Nicholas Moosa, Jeff James, and other mentors in his journey. Moosa said it didn’t take long for Sam Sam to learn and admitted he was shocked by his talent. When he is not on the pitch, he works at Myboet’s Transport, a family business in Mpumalanga.