South Africa’s truck and bus sectors would be unsustainable without disciplined, professional drivers to keep goods and people moving. For ten years, the Hollard Highway Heroes campaign has pushed that standard higher, using data, training and recognition to cut risky behaviour and reward excellence. Now celebrating its 2025 Hollard Highway Heroes Awards, the insurer marks a decade of safer roads and a programme that has grown into a respected national benchmark.

This year’s awards reflected that evolution, with the initiative going Pan-African for the first time and fielding a record number of women finalists.

The big headline belonged to overall champions Matheus Namhindo in the truck category who drives tankers for Crossroads Distribution, Namibia, and Lesedi Masiteng, in the bus category, who drives for Unitrans Kloof. These two shared close to R500 000 in prize money for their exceptional discipline on the road.

Namhindo was absolutely thrilled at his big win: “I am so happy. I can’t believe I won. I never thought I would win. I have been driving for nearly 24 years and never really won anything. Today has been a big surprise for me and my family. I can’t wait to tell my daughters I won. I know they’ll be very proud of me.”

In addition to the overall champions, winners were recognised across several categories including:

• Bus Longhaul – Gobatlamang Jairus Gabonewe, Mega Bus Kuruman.
• Tipper – Magosana Noge, De Vre Trans (Pty) Ltd.
• Tankers – Matheus Namhindo, Crossroads Distribution Namibia.
• Tautliners – Nonkoliso Jineneka, Grainfoods Distributors (Pty) Ltd
• Flatdecks – David Makubu, DP World Consol.
• Refrigerated – James Ndlovo, Fairfield Long Haul.

For Tshegofatso Grace Botswe, the top female contender who got into the top 10 finalists in the bus category, the recognition is a turning point. A sole breadwinner, she says the achievement is life-changing and she already has her sights set on taking the top prize next year.

A shared value approach
Telematics, coaching and consistent monitoring of speeding, harsh braking and fatigue remain central to the programme’s impact, backed by partnerships with fleet operators, technology firms, associations and regulators.

The awards also underline Hollard’s push to embed responsible driving across South Africa and now its neighbours. As Hollard’s Head of Trucking, Paul Dangerfield says: “Hollard Highway Heroes is our Shared Value initiative, where we seek to make an impact at the core of road safety in South Africa and for the first time, in neighbouring countries.

“Highway Heroes has helped turn uncertainty into certainty, showing how emphasising responsible driving can make our roads better, one driver at a time. At its core, Highway Heroes is about people. It’s about creating a culture of care and accountability. For every kilometre driven safely, there’s a life protected – and that’s what we celebrate today.”

Editor’s comment: A decade of Hollard Highway Heroes tells a clear story: disciplined drivers save lives, reduce operating costs and strengthen the backbone of road freight and passenger mobility. By elevating role models across categories and borders, Hollard continues to show how data, training and recognition can shift the culture of an industry where safety remains a daily challenge. FleetWatch extends a huge congratulations to all the finalists and winners. You do our industry proud.

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