By Aurelia Mbokazi-Kashe

Over the years, Renault has quietly carved out a space for itself at the affordable end of South Africa’s motoring market. From the Clio and Megane to the much-loved Sandero and Kwid, many South Africans remember their first car bearing the French badge. When the Duster launched in 2013, it was pitched as a budget-friendly SUV that could handle both city driving and a bit of adventure, and it quickly became a familiar sight on our roads, especially in the much-loved Outback bronze.

I once took a Duster on a memorable road trip from Johannesburg to Butterworth in the Eastern Cape with four passengers, three of whom had never been on the road for more than four hours. While it wasn’t the most comfortable ride, it handled the journey with surprising ease. The swollen feet and backaches? I blame it on the lack of travel of my passengers, not the car. For what it was designed to do, the Duster was more than up to the task.

Fast forward to 2025, and there’s a new Renault Duster on our streets: refined, modern, and still proudly boxy. It has an aggressive stance that turns heads, but there’s an elegance to it now, even a hint of premium. I couldn’t help but admire it when the test rolled into my driveway. The interior has some plastic door panels, but the fabric finishes and overall layout bring that unmistakable French flair. It feels thoughtfully put together, with just the right amount of attitude, the kind that says, “I mean business.”

I did fumble with the buttons at first and took longer than I care to admit to find the
volume control, but after a bit of fiddling, everything felt intuitive enough. There were no epic road trips this time around, just school runs, local errands and zipping around my neighbourhood within a 5km radius. Still, the Duster made the ordinary feel a little special. No off-roading, no long highways; just everyday moments, comfortably done.

Sound Bath Experience
A friend invited me to my second sound bath session at Nuru House, now nestled at 44 Stanley Avenue, just around the corner from home. The trip in the Renault Duster was short and sweet, with plenty of parking on offer, a welcome change from the old Rosebank spot. The only challenge? The walk from the parking lot to the studio, lugging a yoga mat, blanket and pillow —modern-day wellness essentials- but the Duster made it easy to load and offload thanks to its generous boot and wide-opening doors. Being back at this hidden gem of a precinct on a Saturday morning was a treat, buzzing with stylish shoppers, breakfast crowds, and people drifting in and out of boutiques and bookshops. After an uplifting sound bath, we hunted for a restaurant that wasn’t packed and could accommodate our quirky cargo without turning heads.

Dining at St. Germain

With most restaurants buzzing, we stumbled upon a tucked-away spot in the heart of the centre—St. Germain. The staff, slightly amused by our yoga mat-and-blanket crew trickling in from the sound bath, welcomed us warmly. As we settled into this charming, French-inspired space, I couldn’t help but smile at the coincidence—here I was, driving a French car and dining in a chic French café.

Breakfast was delicious, the cappuccinos flowed, and our table became a sanctuary of conversation. We spoke about everything—politics, spirituality, relationships,
money—completely losing track of time. By the time we stood to leave, we’d been there for over six hours. The Renault Duster waited patiently, ready to ferry me back home after a day that was anything but ordinary. It had slotted seamlessly into my lifestyle, proving itself as more than just a car—it was part of the memory.

Walks at Emmarentia Botanical Gardens
Still basking in the post-sound bath glow, I decided to stretch the zen vibes into Sunday with a gentle afternoon walk at Emmarentia Botanical Gardens, also around the corner from home. But instead of serenity, I walked straight into chaos. Sunday weddings at the park meant the place was packed with crowds that ranged from glammed-up guests spilling out of limousines, picnic-goers, and dog walkers – all jostling for space in Joburg’s version of a jungle.

After dodging crowds and overexerting myself on the trails, I was more than ready to head home. But the Duster had one last surprise in store. Sandwiched in a tight parking spot, I returned to find a fresh scratch on the passenger door, left by someone with no courtesy and had already made their getaway. My stress levels shot up, but the Duster reminded me that even in the madness of the city, it’s built to handle life’s bumps – literal or otherwise.