The announcement by VW that they are going to discontinue the iconic Citi Golf range left me all warm and fuzzy inside and took me down memory lane.

Getting my first car, which was a 1.6i indigo blue Citi Life with massive wheels, stunning rims and dropped suspension, was a bit like falling in love for the first time.

I still remember when I first saw her on the shop floor at the Northcliff Lindsay Saker, I knew I was in love.

So we bonded a bit and I took her up one of those Northcliff hills and gave her stick, my car-crazed best friend could only look on like a voyeur but judging by his eye-to-eye smile you could tell he approved.

By the time we got back to the dealership I was ready to sign away my life convinced that this is what they meant by till death do us part and of course later the Citi Life did almost become the death of me.

I can remember it as if it was yesterday coming down the notorious Siemens Hill near the Brixton tower on a rainy night and eager to impress the two girls in the back seat, I gave my baby my all but we ended upside down.

I remember the girls screaming in the back and my buddy, who is now a big shot in government, being tjoep still, almost ready to meet his creator.

To this day he tells me he was merely “watching events unfold” but I got it on good authority that he remarked to another friend, once I was out of sight of course, “Yoyoyo, I almost died”.

That of course only happened much later when I started taking our thing with my Citi Life for granted.

Some of my fondest memories of that time, which are forever rekindled every time I hear certain songs, were of being all alone with my baby and music blaring through the speakers and reflecting on the coolness of it all as I drove through the streets of Soweto.

Races down Chris Hani Road were a common feature then as I rolled up towards The Rock in Rockville.

After more than four incidents such as the Brixton tower one, I guess she had to let me go and I did it with a sore heart but I have been a VW man since.

Author

  • Sello S Alcock is the journalist formerly known as Sello Selebi who is still undergoing a transformation after being heavily teased about sharing a name and surname with former police National Commissioner Jacob. He maintains that Don Jackie is an acquaintance he met in a Hangar in Limpopo, finish and klaar! And of course he still believes in the notebook and tape recorder as tools of the trade of journalism. His other namesake, Julius, he thinks is just playing dumb. Sello is currently living the dream at Wits University after stints in the advertising industry and the financial services sector. He is still committed to fighting the good fight and reflecting on all things human and bizarre. He won't necessarily promise you a notebook but nothing but the truth so help him God.

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Sello S Alcock

Sello S Alcock is the journalist formerly known as Sello Selebi who is still undergoing a transformation after being heavily teased about sharing a name and surname with former police National Commissioner...

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