Gavin Kelly: steadfast force in SA’s logistics quagmire

Appointed as chief executive officer in 2019, Kelly has brought over four decades of expertise to his four years spent in the role. His journey with the RFA began in 2007 as the technical and operations manager and since then his passion for the industry has driven his involvement in resource management, strategic planning, and operational oversight.

Throughout his career, Kelly has sought to elevate industry standards. Never shy to voice his opinion, he has made various contributions in the fields of driving licence training, vehicle equipment standards, and passenger, goods, and dangerous goods transport.

Kelly’s influence also extends to the development of crucial road traffic legislation and traffic policing initiatives. He has participated in the development of a host of national and regional programmes such as the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO); the Short-Term Implementation Programme (STIP); National Traffic Police (NTP); the Code of Conduct, Traffic Officer (TO) Diploma; Examiner of Driver Licences (EDL); and Examiner of Vehicles (EoV). His involvement also extends to road safety programmes like Arrive Alive and other industry-targeted campaigns, as well as formal school curriculum initiatives.

Born in Durban and raised in Qonce (formerly King Williams Town) in the Eastern Cape, Kelly holds degrees and diplomas in Curriculum Development, Policing Ethics, and a recently completed SACAS-certified SANS17024 qualification in Conformity Assessment (lead auditor).

Kelly has also penned numerous articles for technical journals, trade publications, and various media house periodicals – and he is a regular guest on television shows and radio stations. His role as a speaker at industry events and leadership seminars further attests to his standing as a sought-after authority in the field. 

He attributes his resilience and compassionate approach in dealing with both people and challenges to the values instilled in him by his parents. According to Kelly, his Scottish father exemplified adept problem-solving and an exceptional interpersonal approach. These qualities left a lasting impression on Kelly, shaping his managerial style. On the other hand, his Austrian mother lived through the hardships of World War II, and provided him with a unique perspective on resilience, empathy, and service to one’s fellow beings.

An ardent literary enthusiast, Kelly enjoys works such as JRR Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, while he also has a soft spot for the sci-fi worlds portrayed in Star Trek, Star Wars, and Battlestar Galactica. He has been married to his wife, Yvonne, for over two decades. They are the proud parents of two daughters: Laura and Megan.