South Africa and Rwanda are competing for the rights to host the Formula 1 Grand Prix, with both nations eager to bring the world’s most prestigious motorsport event back to Africa after more than 30 years. The last time Africa hosted an F1 race was in 1993, when South Africa’s Kyalami Circuit in Johannesburg welcomed the event. However, the Kyalami Circuit is no longer in a condition suitable for such a high-profile event, posing a significant challenge for South Africa’s bid.
Both South Africa and Rwanda believe they have the infrastructure and capability to host the Grand Prix successfully. While the South African government is pushing to bring F1 back to Johannesburg, Rwanda is also working hard on its own plans to host the race. The competition between the two countries has sparked a broader debate about Africa’s representation in global motorsport.
South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has criticized the way Formula 1 allocates hosting rights, suggesting that Africa is being unfairly limited. He pointed out that while Europe hosts up to seven races in a season, Africa only has one, which he believes is unjust. McKenzie argued that Africa, as a major continent with a rich sporting culture, deserves more opportunities to host such a significant event.
“It’s not a zero-sum game,” McKenzie said. “Why is it that Africa is limited to just one race, while Europe has seven? No one questions that, so why should Africa be treated any differently? We deserve more.”
McKenzie also expressed frustration with the idea of choosing between South Africa and Rwanda, insisting that both countries should have the opportunity to host the Grand Prix. He suggested that a collaborative effort between the two could be a more productive approach to bringing F1 back to the continent.
“I don’t like the idea of having to choose between Rwanda and South Africa,” McKenzie added. “We’re advocating for both countries to work together and ensure that Formula 1 returns to Africa successfully. There’s no reason why we can’t make that happen.”
As both countries push to secure the hosting rights, the battle to bring Formula 1 back to Africa is intensifying. The final decision will likely depend on which nation can offer the best infrastructure, financial support, and logistical capabilities to host the event, while also addressing the broader issue of Africa’s representation in the global motorsport arena.
