In the final film in the ISUZU Ikhaya Lekhaya series, comedian Noko Moswete takes a roadtrip from Pretoria to her family’s village in Limpopo. It’s a fun journey, along a route that uncovers a dramatic mountain pass…
When you watch the final film in Getaway and ISUZU’s Ikhaya Lekhaya campaign, you’ll notice it’s a little different from the others. Yes, we still take a trip with a super-talented South African and yes, we still head back to their hometown – but this time, instead of having “the talent”, stand-up comedian Noko Moswete, positioned behind the wheel of the ISUZU D-MAX, Noko guided us back to her village from the comfort of the passenger seat… “because the queen doesn’t drive, darling,” Noko explained with a chuckle.
There’s a lot of laughter when Noko’s around. Laughter and singing, beautifully bold fabrics and friends – so many friends – and family, too. People are drawn to the warm-hearted comedian, who has made it her mission to empower women, particularly those who live in rural areas.
The trip plan was simple: leave Pretoria at first light and head north to Tibani, in Limpopo. Where? “Tibani – which is sometimes spelled Tibane, depending on where you look – is about 54km west of Polokwane,” explained Noko as the N1 stretched out north in front of us, and Pretoria faded behind. “It’s a small village that’s not known around the country, but everyone west of Polokwane knows Tibani. We even have a mall now.”
Noko’s family still lives in her hometown and they’d planned a homecoming celebration for their favourite comedian, who’d had a busy time touring the Savannah Comedy circuit, making appearances on Comedy Central Africa, and performing stand-up comedy at bars and theatres around the country. There was another reason for the trip home, too: Noko (who’s also an actress and a writer) planned to launch the drama group that she’s put together, something she’s long dreamed of. “I want to help them grow as actresses and musicians,” Noko enthused. “I want to travel the world with them. I want to show people what my people can do.”
First, however, Noko had to get back to Tibani. Along for the ride – actually, the one who was driving the ride – was wingwoman Lesedi Sello. “I can’t say Lesedi’s a friend,” Noko explained by way of introduction. “She’s a sister to me. She’s my soul sister.”
Because the scenic route is always the more interesting one to take, Lesedi steered the D-MAX double-cab off the N1 near Mokopane. We were on the fringe of the Waterberg and had spotted – on Google maps – a road that looked like it might have quite an interesting pass. Well. The unassuming R518, it turns out, boasts one of the most spectacular mountain passes in the country. Towering faces of igneous rocks rise from a road that clings to the mountainside, and the ribbon of tarmac stretches precariously across a valley in a graceful curve of a bridge before it clings to the landscape once again.
“These mountains look like they’ve been designed – they look like they’re manmade!” Noko exclaimed, enthralled by the view from the D-Max’s window. Think she’s joking? Take a look at the film, then make a mental note: R518, west of Mokopane. Drive it.
Follow the three journeys in the Isuzu D-MAX and Getaway Ikhaya Lekhaya campaign and you stand a chance to win a spectacular five-night holiday for four people to the Indian Ocean paradise of Seychelles. For more details and to enter, please click here. The competition closes at 15h00 on 2 December 2022.
