Exploring the Inniebos Festival: a celebration of culture, community and the Toyota Quantum

Mbombela was warm, a lot warmer than icy Gauteng when we climbed on board a Toyota Quantum 2.8 six-seater VX Premium to join the throng of people attending the 21st Inniebos Festival.

It was the first time that South Africa’s leading vehicle manufacturer was the sponsor for the event and considering their broad-based appeal across every gender, race and language with their various vehicle offerings, Inniebos is just one aspect of their commitment to South Africa.

Numerous sponsorships

They have several sponsorships, CSR projects and vehicle supplier agreements aimed at a broad spectrum of appeal throughout Mzansi that include, motorsport, Kaizer Chiefs, Cheetahs Rugby, South African Sports Association for the Physically Disabled, Pedal Power Association, Equestrian events, Community Chest, One Voice SA, Toyota Reach and Owl Rescue to name a few.

You may not be a regular Afrikaans music video watcher, but there are so many out there featuring a Land Cruiser 79 bakkie or Hilux that the Volk, if they could afford it, would drive nothing else.

I mean, there are even songs with Hilux and Cruiser in the title, very much “it’s not a bakkie, it’s a Hilux” vibe.

Quantum

Trust me, a luxury Toyota Quantum is a far cry from those used as taxis.

If you look past the exterior with its in-your-face front end that’s unlikely to win any design awards, the “Premium” nomenclature has everything to do with the interior.

The sliding doors open and close electronically and expose four power-adjustable synthetic leather leg and backrest captain seats with more space than a bulky boer would ever need.

The middle two recline fully and there are well-placed cup holders and USB ports throughout the van.

I climbed in behind the wheel about halfway from our destination as I hadn’t had an opportunity to drive it yet.

It’s fitted with Toyota’s 2.8-litre four-cylinder diesel engine found across various platforms and in the Quantum produces 115kW and 420Nm fitted to a six-speed automatic transmission.

The driving position is high and comfortable providing a commanding view of your surroundings and the road ahead.

There were five of us with baggage and cooler boxes filled with water and cold drinks. 

As a van, wind resistance wasn’t at the top of the design brief so it did get a bit of a hammering with the cross winds we encountered but apart from slight wind noise, the interior was relatively quiet.

The diesel mill proved enthusiastic enough given its size and weight and up some of the long uphills it would hold its own along with the regular traffic.

With its reverse camera I pulled into the hotel’s parking lot and shortly afterwards we set off to see what the festival was all about.

Fun vibes

The economic impact of the festival is nearly R80 million on the local economy.

In case you weren’t aware, it’s also the centenary of Afrikaans this year.

The festival over three days showcased theatre, books, poetry, music, authors, musicians, actors and celebrities all sharing a common thread. 

And, of course, stalls selling every possible cuisine, yes, boerie rolls and koeksisters as well, and all manner of arts and crafts, very much like you would find at most festivals. 

From babies in prams to the elderly in wheelchairs, it was a cross-section of everyone, including, of course, a host of tight “Boerboel” shorts and enough bearded men to quickly sell out a Buffelsfontein “Baardolie” stall.

It was Thursday night so the first evening’s stage entertainment included Appel, Chris Steyn, Droomsindroom, Eloff, Jay, Karlien van Jaarsveld, Lianie May, Dirk van der Westhuizen and Francois van Coke of F*kofpolisiekar fame.

A sell-out crowd danced, sang every word, applauded, shone their phone lights and had an absolute blast with world-class production and sound that would not be out of place anywhere in the world.

The highlight for many including myself was Van Coke’s final set combining the legendary songs “Komma” and “Toe vind ek jou” (originally with Karen Zoid) that had everyone in raptures as his band thumped out the music. 

What a pleasure it was that for a few hours, the country’s problems and differences were set aside in a celebration of music and “samesyn” (togetherness).

This year the theme for Inniebos was “lekker” and it was very much that indeed.

It was a late night so I can tell you that those reclining seats in the Quantum VX Premium are a comfortable place to catch up on lost sleep.