New Continental Karting Cup Places F1 On Zimbabwe’s Horizon

By Ross Moyo

Zimbabwe’s young racers will get a shot at continental glory as Karting Africa, powered by WORR Motorsport, launches plans to develop future African Formula One drivers, with the preview event set for Angola next month and the full championship rolling out across Africa in 2027.

The Karting Africa Show run will bring 39 drivers from across the continent to Benguela, Angola on 10 and 11 October as part of the Angolan National League. WORR Motorsport calls it the biggest karting showrun ever held in Africa.

ZIMBABWE IN THE MIX
Zimbabwe is among the 15 countries expected to be represented, alongside South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, Madagascar, Seychelles, Namibia, Ghana, Botswana, Zambia, Mozambique, Angola and Eswatini.

While WORR Motorsport has named 11 of its own drivers for the showrun — including Lwashu Mathebula, Yaseen Panday, Radhi Harris and Thendo Biscay — the inclusion of Zimbabwe signals growing interest in karting back home.

Motorsport Zimbabwe, the country’s FIA-affiliated authority, will be watching closely as the sport seeks to build a talent pipeline from Harare, Bulawayo and Mutare to the world stage.

FULL FIA BACKING
According to WORR Motorsport’s and Karting Africa Founder and Head Coach, Wesleigh Orr, the initiative has the full support of the International Automobile Federation (FIA).

Expected attendees include FIA Vice President for Sport (Africa) Rodrigo Rocha, FIA Regional Coordinator for Africa Miguel Tiago, and presidents of national motorsport authorities from 14 African countries.

For Zimbabwe, that backing matters. The country last hosted an FIA-sanctioned international motorsport event years ago, and karting could be the entry point to bring more international competition and investment back to local circuits.

THE BIGGER GOAL: AN “AFCON” FOR MOTORSPORT
The Vereeniging-based South African development team created the Karting Africa concept together with the Angola Motor Sports Federation (FADM). Its long-term goal is a five-round Karting Africa Cup in 2027 that becomes one of the continent’s premier championships for young drivers.

Orr says: “The goal is to build a world-class series on African soil, run by Africans for Africans. We want our drivers to have a championship that is held in the same esteem as the African Cup of Nations in soccer. Everybody wants to become a world champion in motorsport, but we want young talented racers to soon say, ‘I want to win the African Championship.’”

WHAT IT MEANS FOR ZIMBABWE
With rising fuel costs and limited funding, motorsport in Zimbabwe has struggled. But karting offers a lower-cost entry point and a clear pathway.

If Zimbabwean drivers can compete and podium at the Angola showrun, it could spark new investment in local karting tracks, driver academies, and school programs — the same model that has produced F1 drivers from Europe and Asia.

For now, the focus is on getting Zimbabwean talent onto that grid in Benguela, and then onto the 2027 Karting Africa Cup.

From Harare to the F1 paddock. That’s the dream Karting Africa is selling — and Zimbabwe is now part of the race.