Buyers look beyond sticker price in car purchases
South African car buyers are increasingly considering the full cost of ownership rather than focusing solely on the showroom price or monthly instalment.
- Dealer News
- 12 September 2026
Suzuki says it is all systems go for the upcoming Suzuki Safari Town Festival and Jimny Gathering. Both are slated for the National Heritage Day weekend in the Eastern Free State town of Clarens.
Last year, Suzuki Auto South Africa announced its plans to host the largest ever Suzuki Jimny gathering in Clarens from 22 to 24 September 2023 and promised fun for owners and fans of the Jimny as well as for the general public.
Entertainment for the get-together will come in the form of the Suzuki Safari Town Festival, which will be hosted in the Clarens Town Square on 23 September.
Unlike the Suzuki Jimny Gathering, the Suzuki Safari Town Festival will be open to Suzuki and non-Suzuki owners alike. Tickets are available from R60 to R250 per person.
“We have a jam-packed day of music, food and entertainment planned for the Suzuki Safari Town Festival,” says Henk van der Schyf, the event organiser.
“The event will be headlined by Goodluck, Mango Groove and Spoegwolf, and we have many other artists on the roster, including Femi Koya and Black Heidi. The comedian, Schalk Bezuidenhout, is our host for the day, and we will stream the SA/Ireland rugby match at 9 pm to wrap up the festivities.”
Schalk, a proud Jimny owner himself, will also be a feature at the Suzuki Jimny Gathering.
While live music and comedy are the main attractions, Suzuki and the event organisers have also arranged for a large selection of food and craft vendors. There will also be multiple craft bars, a large kiddies entertainment area and several opportunities throughout the day to meet and mingle with the artists.
“The Suzuki brand is for everyone. So, while we have many special treats planned for Jimny owners, we wanted to make sure that everyone who visits Clarens on the weekend can have a jol. That is why we are so excited to be the headline sponsor of the Safari Town Festival,” says Brendon Carpenter, Brand Marketing Manager of Suzuki Auto South Africa.
The Suzuki Jimny Gathering hopes to attract and entertain hundreds of the Jimny, SJ, LJ and Samurai owners in South Africa. By most estimates, there are over 20 000 owners of these vehicles in South Africa.
South African car buyers are increasingly considering the full cost of ownership rather than focusing solely on the showroom price or monthly instalment.
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