MLM Logistics: SA’s safety champion

December 9, 2025

In South Africa’s road-freight sector, where operational pressures are high and safety failures can be devastating, a handful of companies steadily push the standard higher. This year, MLM Logistics emerged at the very top of that group, winning the Overall Best Organisation Award at the 2025 Fleet Safety Awards.

For a company founded less than a decade ago, this achievement is remarkable, yet unsurprising to those who have followed its steadfast and increasingly influential commitment to safety.

MLM Logistics was established in 2016 as a fully black-owned transport solutions provider. From the outset, it positioned itself as a business determined not merely to move goods, but to transform the ways in which logistics companies approach efficiency, accountability and, most critically, safety. Its model relies on integrating a wide network of transporters, enabling the firm to move bulk cargo to any Southern African destination. As group chief executive Mark Langa Makhubalo puts it, “Our reputation and track record speak for themselves. We pride ourselves on giving clients the best logistical road solutions in the country.”

The Fleet Safety Award represents more than just industry approval; it acknowledges a deep cultural investment across the organisation. Makhubalo is clear about what it means. “Winning the Overall Best Organisation Award is a significant achievement for our team,” he says. “It reflects our unwavering commitment to safety, innovation and excellence. It validates our efforts and reinforces our reputation as a leader in fleet safety.”

For MLM, the award affirms years of deliberate work to embed safety into the company’s DNA: safety has never been treated as a regulatory obligation, but rather as a non-negotiable value. Makhubalo notes that the recognition “boosts team morale and motivates us to continue striving for excellence. It reinforces our priority of protecting our team, our assets and the communities we serve.”

Safety, to MLM, is not simply an internal metric. “It is a responsibility to the broader society; the company’s community-focused initiatives – such as those recently implemented in Mogwase in the North West – demonstrate that commitment in action,” says Makhubalo.

Open and honest communication to the fore

The company’s safety philosophy rests on the belief that people must feel supported, empowered and heard. MLM has invested significantly in employee wellness, understanding that a mentally and physically healthy workforce contributes directly to safer operations. “We encourage open discussions about safety,” Makhubalo explains. “Employees must feel comfortable reporting hazards or near misses without fear of repercussions.”

Training and development are equally central. New employees undergo rigorous onboarding that covers safety protocols and emergency scenarios, while experienced staff receive ongoing refresher sessions designed to ensure that competency keeps pace with an evolving industry.

Regular safety meetings, constructive feedback loops and mentorship relationships help build a stable foundation of shared responsibility. As Makhubalo says, “We recognise and reward safe behaviours, because reinforcing positive practice builds long-term accountability.”

Technology has played a decisive role in MLM’s success, particularly as fleet risk management becomes more data-driven. All vehicles are equipped with advanced telematics that monitor speed, fuel consumption, driver behaviour and route optimisation. CCTV systems, dash cameras and mobile communication tools feed real-time information back to central operations, allowing potential risks to be addressed before they result in incidents.

The company recently developed its own fleet-management platform, MLM Fleet Management (MLM-FM), which automates maintenance schedules, compliance requirements and inspections. Every technological tool is deployed with the same strategic aim: reducing risk and strengthening operational integrity.

Even more transformative is MLM’s partnership with SANY on heavy-duty electric trucks. It is a collaboration that signals a forward-thinking stance in a sector where sustainability is rapidly becoming inseparable from safety. “Our partnership with SANY represents a significant shift toward sustainability in logistics,” Makhubalo expands. “It aligns with global trends, while improving efficiency and lowering emissions.” The company’s recent visit to China further reinforced the importance of innovation. “We learnt that SANY invests over 30% of its revenue into R&D,” he relates. “That inspired us to pursue a similar approach to stay ahead of trends and regulatory changes.”

A team effort

Behind these systems and strategies is a leadership team deeply committed to making safety a shared organisational priority. Makhubalo points to several individuals whose roles are particularly influential. Chief operating officer Botho Leburu ensures that safety is integrated across the group’s operations, while fleet operations manager Drikus Joubert oversees readiness before any truck leaves the yard, supported by coordinators Rocky Ramotsepane and Aviwe Somana. Workshop manager Johan van Rensburg maintains world-class vehicle standards through his team of skilled mechanics, while compliance officer Angela Holloway ensures all regulatory matters are addressed, overseeing ISO 9001, ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 standards. “She is our rose among the thorns,” Makhubalo says fondly.

The organisation’s safety strategy is already having measurable impact beyond the company itself. Clients report significant confidence in the security and reliability of the transport services MLM provides, strengthening long-term partnerships. Communities benefit from fewer road incidents and enhanced awareness around safe transport operations. The broader industry takes note: MLM participates in forums, shares its insights and contributes to raising the bar for regulatory improvement. “Our safety strategy serves as a benchmark,” says Makhubalo. “By sharing our experience, we help raise standards across the sector.”

What comes next is a topic to which the company has already given considerable thought. Rather than treating the award as a final destination, MLM sees it as a platform for continued improvement. “Winning this award is not just a celebration of past accomplishments,” Makhubalo explains. “It propels us forward.” The organisation plans to reinforce its safety protocols, continue investing in new technology, strengthen stakeholder relationships and maintain stringent internal audits to keep progress on track.

Above all, it remains obsessed with safety. As Makhubalo concludes, “By concentrating on these strategies, we aim to ensure that our recognition leads to enduring improvements and a deeper commitment to safety in the years ahead.”