Awarded for fleet safety

Many South African organisations prioritise road safety policies, but unfortunately many others still do not grasp the importance of doing everything possible to prevent road accidents. MasterDrive wants to change this, specifically with its Fleet Safety Awards.

Eugene Herbert, CEO of MasterDrive, highlights the organisation’s belief that lauding the companies that give road safety the attention it needs will encourage others to follow their example. “We spend much time raising awareness of road safety and common issues that affect this. It is now time to show appreciation for the organisations that take these issues seriously. Your efforts do not go unnoticed by MasterDrive!”

This is why MasterDrive introduced its inaugural Fleet Safety Awards to recognise and honour companies that have committed to road safety. The event took place on May 13 at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, while it was also broadcast virtually. 

Two categories were commended: The winner of the Fleet Manager Safety Award received R10 000 in cash and the runners-up received R5 000 and R2 500 respectively, plus other significant prizes. The winner of the Best Company Fleet Safety Award received a floating trophy and recognition as a leader of South African road safety.

Herbert congratulates each person and organisation that entered the inaugural event. “Hearty congratulations are owed to every entrant that prioritises road safety and sees the value of the Fleet Safety Awards. The value of the efforts and road safety practices of all 110 entrants were not missed,” he enthuses.

“As the competition grows in the coming years, we encourage each company to enter again in a bid to become the second winner in Southern Africa’s Fleet Safety Awards. Additionally, there are plans to introduce new categories next year and open the Awards up to a wider variety of individuals and fleets.”

Massive congratulations go to the top finalists:

Best company:

• Reef Tankers (first place)
• Tanker Services Fuel and Gas Division at Imperial Logistics SA Group (second place)
• VitalAire (third place)
• Unitrans Supply Chain Solutions
• Tshwane Rapid Transit

Best Fleet Manager:

• Jonathan Mphake from Eazi Access (first place)
• Louw Riekert from Diraro Group (second place)
• Edward Hoffmann from Tanker Services Fuel & Gas (third place)
• Niel Jansen from Imperial Logistics Tanker Services
• Patrick Maduna from Lociware
• Nelisiwe Mkhabela from Danone
• Portia Nkosi from Vodacom
• Golden Sesana from United National Breweries
• Willem van Tonder from Electrowave
• Phillip Moolman from Johnson and Johnson Medical

“MasterDrive conveys its sincere congratulations to each finalist, and in particular to the top three Best Fleet Managers and Best Companies,” says Herbert. “Each individual and organisation illustrated their commitment to, and passion for, road safety and displayed themselves as leaders in changing the current situation on our roads. You deserve the honour of being recognised in the inaugural Fleet Safety Awards and we invite you to join us in increasing road safety going forward.”

A heartfelt thank you is also owed to the judges, who did not face an easy task. “There was a great deal of data to sort through and understand. Yet, each judge embraced the opportunity to do this and looks forward to joining the judging panel again next year,” notes Herbert.

The judging process ensured absolute transparency. “All identifying information was removed from the entries to ensure that judges were not aware of who they were scoring, thereby increasing the objectivity of the Awards,” he continues.

MasterDrive looks forward to planning the next Fleet Safety Awards. “It has proven itself to be a much-needed and fruitful experience and we look forward to emulating it in the coming years,” Herbert says.