Entrepreneur and luxury lifestyle influencer Kefilwe Mabote is bringing a fresh perspective to South African motorsport with THE APEX CLUB, an exclusive experience combining endurance racing, luxury hospitality, fashion, music and culture.
By Mapaballo Borotho
We often think of motorsport as an adrenaline-filled activity, with the focus firmly on the cars, drivers and competition. For entrepreneur and luxury lifestyle influencer Kefilwe Mabote, it is about much more than what happens on the track. It is about culture, lifestyle, music, fashion and transforming an ordinary race day into a memorable experience.
Mabote believes that there is an audience for luxury motorsport experiences; the key is finding a way to make the sport appealing to people with different interests.
This Saturday, 14 November 2026, she will bring that vision to life with the launch of THE APEX CLUB at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in Johannesburg.
Founded by Mabote and curated by Kefi Wheel Torque, THE APEX CLUB is an exclusive motorsport and lifestyle experience inspired by her passion for beautiful, high-performance and luxury cars.
More than just an adrenaline-fuelled event, Mabote describes the experience as being designed around the atmosphere of a private members’ club, with guests enjoying premium hospitality and views of the circuit.
“A traditional motorsport day often means a grandstand seat, a long day in the sun and whatever food you can find.
Our VIP Lounge is about comfort and atmosphere: premium dining, curated bars, beautiful spaces to relax in and live entertainment, with the racing right on your doorstep.
Our Executive VVIP experience takes it a step further. It is for our Kefi Wheel Torque members and their guests, and it includes the Breakfast Run convoy into Kyalami, an elevated lounge and dedicated hosting throughout the day. Where approvals allow, we are also working on moments closer to the action, such as pit lane and driver experiences. The difference is in the details. You are not just attending a race, you are being hosted,” she said.
In an interview with Kaya 959, Mabote said she hopes the event will introduce more people to motorsport, particularly those who may never have attended an endurance race before.
“If you come for the food, the fashion, the music and the people, you will leave understanding why so many of us love this sport.
We are making the racing easy to follow, with our hosts helping guests understand what is happening on track, the stories behind the teams and why one pit stop can change everything.
The moments that get people hooked, like hearing the cars up close or being near the grid, are part of the plan where approvals allow. My hope is simple: someone arrives as a guest and leaves as a fan,” she added.
For her, motorsport extends beyond the competition. It is also about lifestyle, networking, bringing people together and creating an atmosphere where meaningful conversations can happen.
She hopes THE APEX CLUB will become a space where people’s love for speed meets their appreciation for culture, fashion and good company.
Where did the inspiration come from?
The concept grew out of the community that Mabote has built through Kefi Wheel Torque, which has hosted seven editions of its Breakfast Runs.
“The APEX CLUB grew out of the Kefi Wheel Torque community. Over seven editions of our Breakfast Runs, I watched collectors, founders and car lovers come together around something they are genuinely passionate about, and I kept asking myself why that energy was not showing up at our racetracks.
Internationally, motorsport is a full lifestyle experience. Think of the paddock clubs in Formula 1, where the racing, the hospitality, the fashion and the conversations all happen in one place. In South Africa we have world-class racing and a world-class circuit, but there was no premium, culturally relevant space that invited new audiences in.
That was the gap. I wanted to create a space where you do not need to know every driver’s name to feel at home, and where the racing becomes the heartbeat of a beautiful day,” she explained.
Motorsport meets luxury, fashion and culture
The experience will begin with a Breakfast Run in Sandhurst, where a convoy of luxury cars will make its way to Kyalami.
Inside THE APEX CLUB, guests can expect premium dining, curated bars and lounges, automotive art, red mirror installations and live entertainment throughout the day.
Fashion will also be an important part of the experience, with Mabote describing race day as an occasion to dress up and express one’s personal style.
“Fashion is part of it too, because race day has always been an occasion to dress for. And once the racing is done, THE AFTER GRID keeps the evening going with cocktails, dining and music,” she said.
While comfort remains important, Mabote encourages guests to embrace a look that is chic, confident and expressive.
“Think race day chic: elevated, confident and comfortable enough to enjoy a full day at the circuit. Our APEX colours are red, black and silver, so a nod to those will always photograph beautifully, but I really want people to express themselves.
Tailored pieces, statement sunglasses, beautiful fabrics and a little edge. Just remember that it is a racetrack, so choose shoes you can walk in, and be ready for Highveld weather in November: sunshine with the odd afternoon storm. It is an occasion, so dress like you are arriving to be seen, but keep it effortless”.
Creating opportunities beyond the racetrack
Beyond the luxury and entertainment, the event also presents an opportunity to highlight the different industries that contribute to motorsport and large-scale lifestyle experiences.
From hospitality and media to sports and engineering, these industries offer opportunities for young people looking to build careers in fields that extend beyond the racetrack.
Mabote says Kefi Wheel Torque wants to help create connections between these industries and emerging talent.
“Our role at Kefi Wheel Torque is to build that bridge, and THE APEX CLUB is just the beginning. We are already looking forward to building on it next year,” she said.
As a woman building a platform in a traditionally male-dominated industry, Mabote’s vision also adds another dimension to the event.
THE APEX CLUB is an opportunity to experience motorsport differently, bringing together people who may arrive for the cars, fashion, food or music, but ultimately leave with a new appreciation for the culture surrounding the sport.
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