Spina Guluva is a South African magazine documentary television series produced by BLQ2WRK Multimedia exploring the street culture of spinning cars, which used to be synonymous with car theft and township gangsterism in the '90s before evolving into an informal sport.
It challenges the negative perceptions that have arisen around the sport after drag racing and spinning stolen gusheshes (BMW 3 series) was a common way used to show respect at the funerals of gangsters.
The show is presented by actress, dancer, choreographer, singer and businesswoman Khabonina Qubeka, who grew up watching this informal motorsport.
The first episode interrogates the roots of spinning and the origins of the stereotypes by speaking to a group that were part of the spinning culture back when it started. Spinning has evidently experienced a major makeover as it is now recognised as an official, registered motor sport, but is still not completely legal.
Spinners across the country are fighting to regulate their sport in an attempt to attract interest and sponsors. They still face hostility from authorities, hence spinning occurs on the streets and informal stadiums, mostly at night time.
The show explores the multi-faceted culture in places such as Soweto, Witbank, Mpumalanga, Alberton, and a town dubbed the World Cup venue of spinning: the Vaal. Spinners come from across the Southern Hemisphere pit themselves against the best in the region.
The executive producer for BLQ2WRK was Patronella Sello and the executive producer for e.tv was Pontsho Mdakane.