The Kaiyamo twins: Namibia’s young karting champions

The Kaiyamo twins, Nande and Mandume, have shown remarkable progress since taking up go-kart racing less than four years ago. 

After dominating the Rotax Max Namibia Karting Championship’s Bambino class in 2022, with Nande coming first and Mandume second, they repeated the feat by winning the Micro Class and the Mini Max Class over the next two years, and are now competing against South Africa’s best kart-racing drivers.

Their journey started in October 2021, when they embarked on their kart racing journey at the age of seven. 

Their natural talent was first spotted by a manager at the go-kart rental tracks at Swakopmund, who introduced them to Jorg Goldbeck, who promotes go-kart racing in Namibia. 

Under his guidance, the twins quickly honed their skills and went on to dominate the beginners’ classes, and by the start of 2025 they were ready to test their skills at a higher level.

“At first, we drove down to South Africa to compete on our own, maybe once or twice a year,” their father Elmo says. 

“Then they started attracting the attention of some of the teams competing there, and Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa, under the leadership of Leeroy Poulter, signed them up as junior academy drivers in the Mini-Max class,” he adds.

The twins have now become part of an elite programme dedicated to nurturing young drivers for international motorsport success, and are now racing full-time on the South African circuit. 

So far this year, they have competed in six races across various tracks, including Killarney, Idube, Zwartkops, Formula K and Vereeniging. 

Each event has provided invaluable experience, exposing them to different circuits and some of the best drivers in South Africa (SA) and beyond.

They have come seventh and eighth in some of the races and are currently lying 10th and 19th in the overall series. 

Toyota Gazoo Racing covers their costs, go-karts and suits, and equipment, as well as a driver coach in SA, but their parents still have to cover their travel costs. 

Elmo, however, says it is a worthwhile sacrifice.

“It’s a big sacrifice, but they are passionate about their sport, and my wife and I took a decision and made a commitment to support them as parents,” he says.

“They have improved a lot, and I think both can go far. In the beginning, they normally came last, but now they finish in the top 10, and I think by the end of the year they will have gained a lot of experience,” he says.

This weekend they will once again be in action on the SA circuit when they compete at the National Round 3 race at Idube Raceway outside Pietermaritzburg, while they will also compete at the African Open at Zwartkops outside Pretoria on 3 to 5 July.

Competing in SA has provided invaluable experience, exposing the boys to new tracks and fierce competition among some of the continent’s top kart racers, and Elmo says the twins’ dreams are wholeheartedly supported.

“Our boys have always shown incredible passion and dedication. Watching them grow and compete at this level fills us with immense pride,” he says.

“We support them wholeheartedly, and this opportunity with Toyota Gazoo Racing is a testament to their hard work and determination. The journey has just begun, and we are excited for what the future holds.”

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