Revved up with Itu Motuba
Now, the trickiest question to ask me is: what’s my ultimate favourite car? Easy, right? Wrong. I’d probably throw the McLaren SLR, Jeep Wrangler, Porsche 911 GT3, and even the Abarth 500 (that pimped-out Fiat 500, ja) all in the mix. I always thought it’s because I’m a petrolhead who loves those classic “boy toys.” You know, the kind of cars that make heads turn and boys drool.
But hold up — my whole script got flipped when I went to this women’s event recently. At the parking lot, I was met with some of the coolest cars ever, and none of them screamed “girly” in the way you’d expect. From a Mustang flexing its muscle to the new big GWM Haval H6GT looking all sorts of menacing — I was shook.
So, it got me thinking: do we still buy into this whole “feminine vs masculine” car nonsense? Or have we finally smashed those old-school gender lines to bits? Look, for years, cars were all about the stereotypes. Muscle cars and big bakkies? Definitely the boys’ club. Meanwhile, cute little hatchbacks and compact cars were pitched as the ladies’ choice — safe, practical, and maybe a little pink on the side. Marketing departments really loved to slap on those labels.
But times have changed, and so have we. Thank goodness! People are driving what
they want, not what some ad tells them is “for their gender.” Thank heavens for that, because honestly, who wants to be boxed in like a taxi rank during rush hour? Back at that women’s event, I saw cars that were out here breaking all the “rules.” Women were pulling up in Mustangs that roar louder than some men’s egos, Jeep Wranglers built for adventure, and big SUVs that say, “I’m here to take over the road.”
It’s clear now — cars aren’t just for boys or girls anymore. They’re for anyone who
wants to feel the thrill of the drive, look sharp, and own their lane. This shift isn’t just about cars — it’s about us as a society. Women are taking the wheel in all kinds of ways, and our choices are reflecting that. Electric cars? Sleek SUVs? They don’t care about gender. And honestly, neither should we.
Even the car commercials have caught on — no more tired clichés. It’s all about
freedom, style, and personality now. So whether you’re a mampara or a madam, your car should fit you, not some outdated idea of “masculine” or “feminine.”
Me? I’m still a petrolhead through and through, but I’ve learned to love the unexpected rides too. It’s not about ticking a gender box anymore — it’s about the vibe, the look, and how that car makes me feel when I’m behind the wheel. Years ago, I had to buy my niece a birthday present, and when I was holding a monster truck toy, the sales lady asked me how old my son was.
I looked at her and laughed as I said, “She is 6.” My little niece was happy with her present as she took her Barbie dolls for a spin in the monster truck. I just wanted to teach her at an early age that she can drive whatever car she wants without worrying about whether it is gender suitable.
So, have we blurred those gender lines in cars? Absolutely. The days of “for him” or “for her” are well and truly over. Next time you are car shopping or just admiring a ride on the street, forget the stereotypes and pick what fires you up. So what if that guy also wants to drive a mommy car? After all, he might be a daddy. After all, on the open road, it’s not about gender — it’s about passion and functionality. And maybe a little bit of lekker fun.
