A South African truck driver is heading to Japan after putting his skills to the test against professional drivers from across Southern Africa.
Sifiso Mabuza of Roadtrain Investments was crowned the 2026 UD Quon Ultimate Driver at the UD Trucks Extra Mile Challenge Southern Africa Hub Local Competition, earning himself a place at the global final in Japan.
The competition was held at Zwartkops Raceway in Centurion on 13 August, with professional drivers competing in the UD Quon and UD Quester categories.
But this wasn’t simply about getting behind the wheel and driving fast.
Drivers were assessed on practical skills including pre-trip vehicle inspections, safe and fuel-efficient driving, vehicle handling, manoeuvring and overall operational performance.
For Mabuza, the result means he will now represent the Southern Africa Hub at the 2026 UD Trucks Extra Mile Challenge Global Final, which will take place at the UD Experience Center in Ageo, Japan, from 20 to 22 October.
He will be joined by Kenya’s Farhad Abdurahaman Omar, who won the UD Quester category while representing Shalfah Logistics Limited.
The two drivers will now face some of the world’s top professional commercial vehicle drivers when they take on the global competition.
The Extra Mile Challenge is designed to test the sort of skills that matter in everyday trucking, rather than simply rewarding drivers for their ability to handle a truck.
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Vehicle inspections, fuel-efficient driving and correct vehicle operation can all have a direct impact on safety, vehicle care and the cost of running a transport operation.
UD Trucks says the competition forms part of its wider focus on driver development and professionalism, including its driver training programme.
For South African truck drivers, however, Mabuza’s achievement is about more than another industry award.
A driver who spends his working days keeping freight moving on South African roads will now get the opportunity to take those skills onto an international stage in Japan.
And come October, Mabuza will have one more job to do: prove that a South African truck driver can go the extra mile against the best in the world.
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