The Annual Lights for Life Run lived up to its reputation as one of the most exciting and memorable events in the air-cooled VW calendar. On the evening of November 30th, we gathered at the Food Lovers Market in N1 City, with a fantastic turnout of 60 vehicles and a few more joined later. It was heartwarming to see so many familiar faces catching up, sharing laughs, and admiring the lineup of air-cooled VW classics.
From Jason Schaffers’ famous Beetle (Jason, you’ve earned the spotlight!) to Johan Sauerman’s impressive white Baja Bug, the lineup included a limousine Beetle, Kombis, Beach Buggies, and even a Ford Mustang (which kindly donated two huge bags of dog food). Among the crowd were well-known enthusiasts like Justin Abrahams, Zakir Hoosen, Russell Roger King, and Oswald Kleinsmith, along with members from T3 Buslovers Cape Town, Air-cooled Dub Nation, and South Side Buggers. And, of course, the legendary Jessie Huggett graced us with his presence.
The Cruise Begins
After a quick meeting, it was time to hit the road. The convoy of lit-up vehicles made its way through Cape Town’s streets, drawing smiles and awe from onlookers. Our first stop on the N1 was a quick catch-up point to ensure everyone stayed together through the traffic and robots. The cruise was smooth and filled with festive vibes—until we hit a snag at Hospital Bend.
A Bump in the Road
A white Polo driver, clearly worse for wear, swerved into Shrek, my green Kango Beach Buggy. The situation quickly escalated into a chaotic hit-and-run. With no other choice, I geared down, caught up with the Polo, and forced him to stop. The driver, oblivious to the damage, was clearly intoxicated and uncooperative. After documenting his license plate and ID, we had no choice but to continue with the run. Unfortunately, the unexpected stop caused confusion in the convoy, with some cars driving ahead and others falling behind. To regroup, I shared a live location, with McDonald’s Green Point as our next meetup spot.
Green Point Park-Off
We arrived at Green Point just after 9 PM and created a stunning lineup of air-cooled VWs. The air-cooled community came alive, with everyone mingling, laughing, and sharing their passion for these iconic vehicles.
The sight of Russell Roger King swinging Christmas lights while standing on his Beetle’s roof was unforgettable! Even a local policeman stopped by to ask where he could buy paperwork for his Beetle, one of our members helped him out. That’s the magic of the air-cooled community—it connects people from all walks of life.
For those continuing to the second park-off, the hour flew by. By 10 PM, it was time to set off for Bloubergstrand Beachfront.
Bloubergstrand Beachfront
The final leg of the journey was smooth sailing, apart from one impatient Jeep driver who sped off mid-convoy. At the beachfront, we parked opposite News Café, braving a brisk wind to enjoy one last gathering. Slowly but surely, everyone started going home. The ou with the Mustang showed us how a Mustang should be driven (hoendervleis). Arno Pieterse with his Rat Bug (from the ‘Old School VW Enthusiasts‘ WhatsApp group) and family went for shawarma somewhere, Nick, Eleanor, Clive, Linda, Mickey and I went for pizzas to cap off an incredible evening, while the rest went home.
Giving Back
The following morning, with Shrek still decked out in Christmas lights, Mickey and I delivered all the donations to Bella’s Guardian Angels Animal Rescue. Seeing how the community’s generosity supports such a worthwhile cause was the perfect way to end the event.
Save the Date!
A massive thank-you to everyone who joined us for the 2024 Lights for Life Run. Your spirit, laughter, and dedication made the event unforgettable. We’re already counting down to the next Lights for Life Run on November 29th, 2025, at the same time and place.
Let’s keep the air-cooled community alive and thriving. Spread the word, invite your friends, and join us for another unforgettable night of classic cars, festive cheer, and great company.
See you there!
Anton Kleyn
President, Wild Buggers Beach Buggy Club
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