Johannesburg played host to a massive celebration this week as Hollard marked ten years of Highway Heroes, the competition that honours South Africa’s safest and most disciplined truck and bus drivers. The prestigious event took place at The Villa in Parktown, where drivers, fleet managers and industry partners gathered to salute the men and women keeping freight and passengers moving safely across Mzansi and beyond.
What kicked off ten years ago as a campaign to improve driving behaviour has grown into a powerhouse road-safety initiative across the transport sector. Using telematics, strict monitoring and continuous training, Highway Heroes has helped transform thousands of professional drivers into world-class operators trusted on the highways.
The spotlight this year belonged to Matheus Namhindo and Lesedi Masiteng, who were crowned the Overall Highway Heroes of the Year after outperforming thousands of competitors nationwide. Together they walked away with nearly R500 000 in prize money, plus the ultimate bragging rights.
Category Winners – Highway Heroes 2025
- Shorthaul: Lesedi Masiteng – Unitrans Kloof
- Longhaul: Gobatlamang Jairus Gabonewe – Mega Bus Kuruman
- Tipper: Magosana Noge – De Vre Trans (Pty) Ltd
- Tankers: Matheus Namhindo – Crossroads Distribution Namibia
- Tautliners: Nonkoliso Jineneka – Grainfoods Distributors (Pty) Ltd
- Flatdecks: David Makubu – DP World Consol
- Refrigerated: James Ndlovo – Fairfield Long Haul
- Top Female Bus Driver: Tshegofatso Grace Botswe
Namhindo, who has been behind the wheel for almost 24 years, couldn’t contain his emotions: “I can’t believe I won. I can’t wait to tell my daughters – I know they’ll be very proud of me.”
This year was also a big win for women in trucking, with a record number of female finalists and champions stepping onto the stage, proving the industry is shifting fast.
Another milestone was the programme expanding Pan-African for the first time, welcoming drivers from across borders and highlighting how critical regional trucking is to the economy.
Read | Limpopo Celebrates Road Safety Champions at 2025 Driver of the Year Awards
Ten years in, Highway Heroes continues to save lives, improve accountability and build a culture of respect on the roads. And if this year’s energy is anything to go by, the next decade is going to be even bigger.
From all of us at SA Trucker, big respect to every finalist, every fleet, and every oke and lady putting safety first. Heroes of the highway, indeed.
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