From cost control to road safety: inside the 2026 Fleet Management Workshop

March 17, 2026

Fleet management today demands far more than operational oversight – it requires strategic thinking, financial acumen and a deep commitment to safety. These realities were brought into sharp focus at the 2026 Fleet Management Workshop, held on 17 February at Tracker’s Gauteng head office.

Hosted under the auspices of the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP), the workshop highlighted the breadth and depth of expertise fleet managers need to perform effectively in an increasingly complex operating environment. Over the course of the day, delegates explored key themes including the economy and fleet market dynamics, total cost of operations and ownership, asset management, operational efficiency, and safety and risk management.

Welcoming attendees, Spyros Marinis, head of business channels at Tracker Connect, emphasised the company’s role in caring for and protecting people and their assets – including vehicle fleets. He noted that by supporting initiatives such as the AFP workshop, organisations like Tracker help to ensure fleet managers receive the training, guidance and support they need to navigate challenging conditions.

MasterDrive’s Eugene Herbert, Inyameko’s Avinash Jugdeo and Tracker’s Spyros Marinis.

Group photo from the 2026 Fleet Management Workshop.

Road and driver safety emerged as central concerns throughout the programme. Eugene Herbert, CEO of MasterDrive, reminded delegates of the importance of recognising and rewarding excellence in fleet safety, encouraging them to consider entering the Fleet Safety Awards later in the year.

Adding further practical insight, Johan van Niekerk of Fleetbase Mobility Solutions shared expertise drawn from real-world fleet operations. The diverse audience – many of whom travelled from across the country to attend – engaged actively with the content, reflecting the strong appetite for peer learning and professional development in the sector.

The day concluded with the presentation of certificates and group photographs, offering delegates a tangible reminder of the knowledge gained and connections made. More importantly, the workshop reinforced a clear message: effective fleet management is no longer about isolated functions, but about integrating cost control, operational excellence and a strong culture of safety.