By Aurelia Mbokazi-Kashe
Every year, Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) hosts a special event during Women’s Month to celebrate women in the automotive industry. It has become a highlight on the calendar for women motoring journalists, who look forward to a day of connection, relaxation, and being celebrated by the Toyota team.
This year, Gauteng was chosen as the venue, with the event taking place at the
picturesque Cradle of Humankind in Kromdraai. The theme, Roots to Routes, paid homage to heritage and the natural environment.
The Cradle, known as the birthplace of humankind, has also become a tourism gem in Gauteng, offering open spaces, farmland views, cycling routes, and the scenic Magaliesberg mountain ranges, all within easy reach of Lanseria Airport. It provided the perfect backdrop for a gathering of women in auto, striking a balance between heritage, nature, and celebration.
The Drive
In line with the event’s theme, the cars chosen carried a strong South African
connection, being assembled at Toyota’s Prospecton plant outside Durban. The line-up included the Corolla Cross, Hilux, and the Fortuner.
We met at Lanseria Airport – Mabs and I paired together – and set off in the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid for a short drive to Van Gaalen Cheese Farm in Hartbeespoort.
As one of South Africa’s best-selling models, the Corolla Cross Hybrid has earned its reputation for combining sharp styling, a spacious cabin and boot, and impressive efficiency. It strikes the perfect balance between urban comfort and SUV excitement. The trip itself was smooth and enjoyable, with a quick driver change along the way, offering everyone a chance to experience the car first-hand.
Food and Drink
The next part of our drive took us to And Then There Was Fire, a restaurant inside the Nixox Centre in the Cradle of Humankind. We enjoyed a scenic journey from Hartbeespoort to the Cradle, passing farms, open landscapes and some of the most beautiful parts of Gauteng, on the border of the North West province.
Encouragingly, the roads in the area are being repaired, making for smoother travel ahead. And Then There Was Fire is a farm-style restaurant where sand becomes your carpet, inviting you to kick off your shoes and feel at home in nature. The staff are warm and welcoming, and the relaxed atmosphere is complemented by simple, elegant décor crafted mainly from wood. Despite its simplicity, the setting feels beautifully curated, a true home away from home.
We were welcomed with carefully crafted cocktails and fine wines, which set the tone for lively conversations – the kind you can only expect when women get together, shifting from parenting to lighter, more playful topics like permanently removing unwanted hair.
Over lunch, we were reminded of Toyota’s long history in South Africa, dating back to the 1960s. Decades later, it remains the country’s best-selling car brand, thanks to its wide offering – from entry-level models to luxury vehicles – meeting the needs of every type of driver.
The food was fresh and outstanding. Highlights included steak that melted in the mouth, pork belly with perfect crackling and tender meat, alongside fish, fresh salads and artisanal chips. Dessert rounded off the experience beautifully – a spread of indulgent, decadent treats that ended the meal on a high.
Accommodation
After our epic, laid-back lunch, we were shuttled to our accommodation at Farmhouse 58, just a few kilometres from the restaurant. The farm-style setting carried the same theme of relaxation and reconnecting with nature. The rooms are decorated in a minimalist, rural style that feels both nostalgic and luxuriously chic. It’s as if you’ve stepped back to a time when life was simple and unhurried.
The villager in me couldn’t help but notice details worth taking home, like exposed water pipes in the bathroom, a concrete bed base softened by plush mattresses and crisp linen, all blending beautifully with the natural environment. Food is sourced locally, with fresh eggs collected from the chicken coops. Every detail works together to make you feel grounded and part of something bigger than yourself.
Food is sourced locally, with fresh eggs collected from the chicken coops. Every detail works together to make you feel grounded and part of something bigger than yourself.
Activities
We had two activity options for day one: a sound bath experience or a sunset walk. Alternatively, you could simply unwind in your room or enjoy the peaceful surroundings. I chose the sound bath, which turned out to be one of the most calming experiences. Guided meditation to soft humming and the gentle tinkling of vessels, while cocooned in blankets and pillows, left us deeply relaxed, and many of us even drifted off to sleep. Adding to the atmosphere were the distant roars of lions from the nearby Bothongo Lion and Rhino Park, a grounding reminder of nature’s presence, just an hour from the city and its traffic.
The next morning offered another choice: morning yoga or a hot-air balloon ride. Many colleagues braved the 5 am wake-up call for the balloon and returned with glowing reviews. Those who stayed for yoga found it just as rewarding, easing us into the day as we prepared to head back to reality.
Overall Experience
As we drove back to the airport, once again in a Toyota Corolla, we reflected on the incredible experiences we had shared. We spoke about the importance of women’s voices and perspectives in the industry, and how we can continue to strengthen our contribution. The gifts were generous and thoughtful, but what stood out most was Toyota’s effort in curating a safe space for meaningful conversations that support the growth of the automotive industry in South Africa.
