Nairobi’s CBD came alive today as South African motorsport sensation Samsam, one of Red Bull’s most electrifying spin drivers, roared into town and turned the streets into his stage. Crowds spilled onto pavements, phones in the air, as Samsam’s car danced through controlled chaos — tyres screeching, smoke billowing, and adrenaline running high.
Samsam, 28, born Samkeliso Thubane, who has become a household name in South Africa’s spinning and drifting scene, is known for his daring precision — the art of turning a car into both weapon and paintbrush. Today, Kenyans got a firsthand taste of why Red Bull tapped him as one of their standout stars.
Born and raised in South Africa, Samsam carved his name in the underground world of car spinning, a motorsport that blends drifting, freestyle stunts, and pure showmanship. What started as a township pastime — where drivers would push battered BMWs and Toyotas to their limits — has grown into a global phenomenon, and Samsam is one of the faces leading the charge.
His reputation rests not just on speed, but on artistry. To watch him is to watch a car defy gravity, twisting in smoky circles before snapping back into line with laser-sharp control. Red Bull recognized that energy early, signing him and giving him a platform to showcase South African car culture to the world.
Kenya’s car scene is rapidly growing, with a young audience that craves motorsport but rarely gets to see it live. For Nairobians, Samsam’s showcase felt like a cross between Formula Drift and street theatre. The CBD, normally defined by traffic jams and matatus weaving in and out, transformed into a stage for international motorsport flair.
The Nairobi stop was part of Red Bull’s broader push to bring global talent to African cities where motorsport culture is bubbling under the surface.