Road safety trailblazers shine at Fleet Safety Awards
Road safety trailblazers shine at Fleet Safety Awards
The 2024 Fleet Safety Awards, announced during the Futuroad Expo in Johannesburg, honoured various individuals and companies for their leading roles in fleet and road safety.
The event’s popularity underscored the transport industry’s commitment to safety, with attendance exceeding capacity. Attendees witnessed the presentation of 18 awards – the most in the programme’s three-year history.
The ceremony featured speeches and panel discussions, including a standout talk by Bobby Shemmans, director of HSE at DP World (a previous Fleet Safety Award winner), who emphasised the collaborative nature of safety in the industry. “It is the responsibility of all of us sitting in this room, and it’s the responsibility of everyone behind the steering wheel, delivering goods… It cannot happen effectively without events like this, where we can come together, collaborate, and share best practices,” he told the packed crowd.
“My challenge to all of us in this room is this: let’s collaborate, let’s get inspired, let’s see what others are doing. Let’s join hands and partner. Safety shouldn’t be a competitive advantage when approaching customers or contracts, it should be something we all focus on. At the end of the day, it’s about saving that one life – because that’s what truly matters,” Shemmans stressed.
DP World’s slogan, “Change What’s Possible,” was a key theme of his address. “What this means is: if you can do something better, or if you can make a positive impact, do it – and do it now, even if it is small. Whether it’s reviewing a safety policy or recognising an achievement, every small effort contributes to the greater goal, so let’s change what’s possible,” he urged.
MasterDrive CEO Eugene Herbert echoed Shemmans’ sentiments and expressed pride in the achievements of the winners, saying: “Each individual and organisation demonstrated impressive commitment to promoting road safety. Their efforts represent a dedication to saving lives and enhancing safety across industries.”
The winners collectively received over R200,000 in cash prizes, in addition to other rewards.
Winners
SABOA Road Warrior
The first award of the night went to Ettiah Tsatsimpe of Tshwane Rapid Transit. This category honours individuals exemplifying excellence in safe bus operations and sets benchmarks for passenger safety.
SABOA Best Organisation – powered by Standard Bank
Unitrans Passenger was recognised for its life-saving safety programmes. The award highlighted its role in turning safety statistics into real-world improvements and its exemplary organisational commitment.
SABOA Best Fleet Manager
Unitrans Passenger secured another victory, as Marthinus Mulder received the Best Fleet Manager award. His leadership transformed a team of operators into a cohesive unit dedicated to safety excellence.
Most Improved Truck Stop – powered by Safer Stops
Vaal Truck Inn, located on the N3, was commended for redefining truck stops as essential safety hubs. By offering secure rest areas and critical services, it supports long-haul drivers and strengthens the transport network.
Best Employer – powered by AVIS
African Sugar Logistics won this award, which recognises organisations that prioritise driver welfare. Uniquely, employees themselves nominated the winner, celebrating a culture deeply rooted in driver support.
Road Warrior – powered by Optix
This category celebrated everyday heroes operating vehicles with unmatched skill and safety commitment. The winners were:
- Light Commercial Vehicle: Jerome Dlamini (VitalAire)
- Medium Commercial Vehicle: Akona Mbolkwana (ACT Logistics)
- Heavy Commercial Vehicle: Shadrack Ngobeni (DP World), who was also named Overall Winner.
Best Organisation – powered by Dastek IVM
This category recognised organisations that embody safety as a core value. The winners were:
- Light Commercial Vehicle: Future Africa Consulting
- Medium Commercial Vehicle: University of the Free State
- Heavy Commercial Vehicle: Bakers Transport, who also received the Overall Winner title.
Best Fleet Manager – powered by Michelin Connected Fleet
The top honour of the evening went to Ahmed Gani Joosub from Future Africa Consulting, who was lauded for his innovative strategies and commitment to fostering a culture of safety excellence. Joosub also won the Light Commercial Vehicle category within this award.
Additional winners were:
- Medium Commercial Vehicle: Ephram Mokoena (R&D Contracting)
- Heavy Commercial Vehicle: Zaahid Essop (Bakers Tankers)
Most Improved Organisation – powered by the Motor Accident Group (MAG)
This newly introduced category celebrated perseverance and progress. Petit Forestier was recognised for transforming its safety practices, demonstrating that road safety is an ongoing journey.
The event brought together industry leaders, transportation experts, and safety professionals to celebrate outstanding achievements in road safety across multiple sectors.
“Congratulations to each person who was recognised at the 2024 Fleet Safety Awards. We look forward to seeing your road safety efforts in the future,” Herbert concluded.
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