Mthabisi Tshuma, mthabisimthire @gmail.com
BULAWAYO’S streets are becoming more than a playground for motoring enthusiasts, with AutoFest taking its passion for cars into communities through an initiative that combines entertainment with health awareness and social responsibility.
Through its Drive For Change campaign, the motoring and entertainment platform has been moving from suburb to suburb, using car displays, music and community engagement to raise awareness about breast cancer and drug and substance abuse.
From Mzilikazi and Pumula to Entumbane, Magwegwe and Nkulumane, the initiative is taking its message directly to residents, encouraging early cancer detection while urging young people to shun drugs.
The campaign has also attracted artistes like Mzoe7, Chick Aljoy and Yung Steady, who have joined the community drives, using their influence to reach audiences beyond conventional entertainment spaces.
By bringing together car enthusiasts, creatives and residents, AutoFest is demonstrating how popular entertainment platforms can contribute to conversations around issues affecting communities.
AutoFest spokesperson Thabani Ndhlovu said the initiative was born out of a desire to give the platform a broader purpose beyond showcasing vehicles and entertaining audiences.
“We believe that AutoFest should be a movement that positively impacts lives and gives back to the community. Our vision was to raise awareness about breast cancer, encourage early detection through regular screening, and remind people that cancer awareness is everyone’s responsibility.
“As AutoFest, we want to demonstrate that the automotive and entertainment industries can play an important role in addressing serious social issues. We are passionate about bringing people together, educating communities and using our influence to make a meaningful difference,” he said.
Ndhlovu said the campaign was also intended to establish AutoFest as a platform for community development, health awareness, road safety and positive social change.
He said taking the campaign into residential areas was particularly important as it enabled organisers to engage residents at grassroots level, where access to health information could sometimes be limited.
“Our goal is to ensure that the message of breast cancer awareness reaches as many communities as possible, particularly at grassroots level, where access to health information can sometimes be limited.
“We are not stopping there. This week, we intend to continue reaching out to the remaining areas of Bulawayo that we haven’t yet covered. For us, this is bigger than just a car show. We want
AutoFest to become a movement that brings communities together, raises awareness about important social and health issues, and creates a lasting positive impact,” he said.
Beyond cancer awareness, the campaign has placed drug and substance abuse prevention at the centre of its community engagement, particularly targeting young people.
Under the message “Say No To Drugs”, organisers are encouraging youths to channel their energy into developing their talents, pursuing their ambitions and exploring creative opportunities rather than falling into substance abuse.
Ndhlovu said the two campaigns addressed pressing concerns that required collective community involvement.
“We believe these are critical issues affecting our communities, and as AutoFest, we have a responsibility to use our platform to educate, inspire and encourage positive change. Our goal is to reach as many communities as possible, particularly young people, who are increasingly vulnerable to drug and substance abuse.
“We want to encourage our youths to choose their dreams, talents and ambitions over drugs, while also spreading the importance of early breast cancer detection and regular health screening,” he said.
The organisers are also looking beyond Bulawayo, with plans to take the awareness campaign to Gwanda, Plumtree and Gweru ahead of the main AutoFest Car Show scheduled for December 12 at Hartsfield Grounds in Bulawayo.
For participating artistes, the initiative presents an opportunity to use their public profiles to address issues extending beyond music and entertainment.
Mzoe7 said artistes and other influential figures had a responsibility to contribute to community education, particularly among young people, on issues that could shape their futures.
He emphasised that breast cancer awareness should not be treated as a conversation exclusively for women, arguing that the disease affects entire families and requires support from both men and women.
“The drive was not only aimed at the youths but also elders, both men and women, as breast cancer can affect any family. AutoFest seeks to keep uniting the city and creatives with more drives for change, especially on Sundays when families are not at work but in their communities,” he said.
Mzoe7 also highlighted the importance of providing young people with constructive activities and platforms through which they could express themselves.
He said car shows and other entertainment initiatives could create opportunities for young people to interact, discover their interests and participate in activities that promote positive lifestyles.
As AutoFest prepares to extend its campaign beyond Bulawayo, its Drive For Change initiative is seeking to redefine the traditional car show, turning the roar of engines into an opportunity to amplify messages about health, responsibility and community development.
For the organisers, the true measure of success will not simply be the number of vehicles on display, but how far the message travels and the lives it ultimately touches.
