Mr Okkie Potgieter

Past Regional Chairman: Western Cape region

Mr Brain Slingers

Sponsorship: 2006 National Gathering and AGM – Western Cape

Mr Hein Lorentz

Sponsorship: National Concours

Mr Chris Carlisle-Kitz

Past Regional Chairman: Kwa-Zulu Natal region

Me Anna-Lee dos Santos

Head: Go to Market – Telkom
Sponsorship: National Gathering and AGM

2017 – Mr Selvin Govender

Marketing Director for Mercedes-Benz Cars – a division of Mercedes-Benz South Africa Ltd.
Sponsorship: Mercedes-Benz Club of South Africa

Selvin Govender brings his flair for interpreting trends, and understanding market needs to the role of Marketing Director for Mercedes-Benz Cars – a division of Mercedes-Benz South Africa. His career advancement in the Mercedes-Benz South Africa group of companies is based on a wide range of expertise gained throughout his career, and also through his formal studies.
Holding an MBA, Selvin also has a degree in Supply Chain Management and National Diplomas in Transportation Management and Mechanical Engineering. He has excelled in all three of the organisations that make up the Mercedes-Benz group in South Africa, having cut his teeth at debis Fleet Management (a part of the company’s Services Group) as a key accounts executive. Other positions include gaining experience in areas such as remarketing, pre-owned, residual value management, and fleet services at Mercedes-Benz Financial Services. Selvin’s position as National Sales Manager for Mercedes-Benz SA has been the final stepping stone before his appointment to head up the Marketing Division as Marketing Director, Mercedes-Benz Cars, making him a well-rounded asset to the business.
Gala evening 2017
“An evening like this cannot happen without our main sponsor, Mercedes-Benz South Africa. I wish to thank Mr. Selvin Govender for his continued support of the club and his generous sponsorship of this evening and the club in general. I am looking forward to our continued professional cooperation. I am sure he agrees that this prestigious event follows the standard set by Mercedes-Benz.
I would like to call upon Selvin to join me here on the stage once again. This afternoon, the National Committee proposed to bestow a special membership to Selvin Govender, which was unanimously accepted by the members at the AGM. This award is bestowed on a person that has rendered a valuable and beneficial service to the Mercedes-Benz Club and Mercedes-Benz Marque. I cannot think of a better recipient than Selvin. I met him the first time in 2009 when he represented MBSA at the AGM held in George. We cannot forget his generous sponsorship of last year’s AGM in Gauteng, having sponsored the track day at Zwartkop for us. He again arranged a much appreciated sponsorship for the club this year. He is well known in the club and a very worthy recipient.”
Waldo Scribante

2019 – Mr Fanie du Preez

Fanie was born into the star magic with his father driving pontons and fintails when he was a youngster. This would explain his special love for the ponton and fintail models. He and Anita even went on honeymoon in his 220S fintail which he still owns to this day. He has built up a very special collection of Mercedes saloon cars over the years. He finally realized one of his dreams two years ago by building a museum at his house and can now enjoy his collection on a daily basis. Fanie does not see himself as the owner of these cars but rather as  caretaker to preserve them for future generations. It is exactly this amazing humble quality that makes him such an admired and loved member of this club. He served on the regional committee for years helping to arrange national gatherings, register events and the annual Cars in the park in Bloemfontein of which Dups towing is a main sponsor. He will leave no stone unturned to help his friends and even strangers out of very difficult situations due to the nature of his business. With Anita by his side they have travelled all over and even across the borders of the country covering countless miles in their classic Mercedes cars. He is a true ambassador for the club and mentor for the younger generation starting their journey as custodians for these wonderful cars and club. We salute you! Congratulations!

2021 – Mr Selvin Govender

Marketing Director for Mercedes-Benz Cars – a division of Mercedes-Benz South Africa Ltd.
Sponsorship: Mercedes-Benz Club of South Africa

Selvin Govender brings his flair for interpreting trends, and understanding market needs to the role of Marketing Director for Mercedes-Benz Cars – a division of Mercedes-Benz South Africa. His career advancement in the Mercedes-Benz South Africa group of companies is based on a wide range of expertise gained throughout his career, and also through his formal studies.
Holding an MBA, Selvin also has a degree in Supply Chain Management and National Diplomas in Transportation Management and Mechanical Engineering. He has excelled in all three of the organisations that make up the Mercedes-Benz group in South Africa, having cut his teeth at debis Fleet Management (a part of the company’s Services Group) as a key accounts executive. Other positions include gaining experience in areas such as remarketing, pre-owned, residual value management, and fleet services at Mercedes-Benz Financial Services. Selvin’s position as National Sales Manager for Mercedes-Benz SA has been the final stepping stone before his appointment to head up the Marketing Division as Marketing Director, Mercedes-Benz Cars, making him a well-rounded asset to the business.
Gala evening 2017
An evening like this cannot happen without our main sponsor, Mercedes-Benz South Africa. I wish to thank Mr. Selvin Govender for his continued support of the Club and his generous sponsorship of this evening and the Club in general. I look forward to our continued professional cooperation.
I am sure he agrees that this prestigious event follows the exemplary standard set by Mercedes-Benz.
I would like to call upon Selvin to join me here on the stage, once again. This afternoon, the National Committee proposed to bestow a special membership to Selvin Govender, which was unanimously accepted by the members at the AGM. This award is bestowed upon a person who has rendered a valuable and beneficial service to the Mercedes-Benz Club and Mercedes-Benz Marque. I cannot think of a more worthy recipient.
I first met Selvin in 2009, when he represented MBSA at the AGM held in George, and it has been an honour and a privilege to continue our association. We cannot forget his generous sponsorship of past AGM’s and National Gatherings.
He is well known as a part of our Merc family, an honored member of our Club, and a worthy recipient indeed.
Waldo Scribante

2021 – Mr Russell Grigg

Russell Grigg was born in Pietermaritzburg and after completing his school education at Dale College in Grahamstown and the one year’s compulsory military service, he started his Motor Industry career at Norris Ford in King William’s town in 1976, as Sales Executive.
He was later promoted to Sales Manager and in 1984 he was brought onto the Board of Directors. He had a total of 25 years’ service with Norris Ford.
Russel then joined Ronnies Motors in 2001 and after a term of approximately 10 years as Sales Manager for Mercedes-Benz passenger cars, he was promoted to Dealer Principal in 2012.  He is also a trustee of the Ronnies Motors Group.
Having a compassionate nature, Russell is very well – liked and highly respected by his staff and everyone he interacts with in the Motor Industry, both locally and nationally.
He goes the extra mile to ensure customer satisfaction and has made many loyal friends through his integrity and commitment to relationship building.
Russell has previously served as Chairman of various governing bodies and is also the recipient of the Rotary International Paul Harris award in recognition for outstanding service to the community.
We are very grateful to Russell and his team for generously supporting the activities of the Mercedes-Benz Club in the Eastern Cape Region.
Erald Hohls

2021 – Mr Jeff Sansom

He joined the Club in 2000 and with his generous and free-giving spirit has won the hearts of everyone in the region. Jeff Sansom is a passionate dreamer with a heart of gold.
Jeff has a passion for historical values. Having acquired the Thomas River Historical Village in the early 2000’s, he has built up an enviable collection of memorabilia items and has some special Mercedes-Benz classic cars in his collection. Jeff has a large collection of classic Mercedes-Benz and other car parts, which he has generously helped club members with over the years.
Jeff is extremely knowledgeable and a great raconteur on the South African frontier wars.
Jeff and Ann Sansom have generously hosted the Eastern Cape Region of the club at their village every year for almost 10 years.
Visiting Thomas River is highlight on the Eastern Cape Events Calendar.
Jeff deserves a Special Membership Award through kind generosity.

 

 

2022 – Mrs Esté Campher

Esté Campher, Head of the Dealer network and Training Academy of Mercedes-Benz South Africa.
She has been with MBSA for 26 years and worked in various sales and marketing departments, as well as in retail.
I met Esté in 2016, when she represented MBSA at the AGM held in Gauteng, and it has been a privilege to continue our association. She and her husband are already well known as supporters of our Club and it is my absolute pleasure to officially welcome her into our MBCSA family.
She is a true Mercedes-Benz ambassador – very passionate in her work and in her love for the Brand.
Waldo Scribante

 

 

2022 – Mr Ian Matthews

In April 2010, Ian Matthews started as Dealer Principal at Stanmar Motors, which is part of the Hallmark Motor Group, owned by the Bolton Family. They have had a long history with the Mercedes Benz brand, as well as Stanmar Motors. Ian arrived from the UK where he had been working for 2 years for a Mercedes Benz Franchise in Birmingham.
Prior to this, Ian worked for Cargo Motors (Imperial) where he was the Brand Centre Manager, Commercial Vehicles. He had also worked for the Mercedes Benz New Vaal Hallmark franchise, since 1998, so 2010 was almost a coming home for him.
This brings his Hallmark and Mercedes Benz experience to 25 years, of which 21 years has been with the Hallmark Group. Ian was promoted to Group Dealer Principal in September 2019, which makes him responsible for the five Mercedes Benz Dealerships within the Hallmark Group’s stable of 40.
Congratulations Ian and welcome to the MBCSA family.

2023 – Mr Pius Mokgokong

The car market at the time was dominated by the big American and British cars. I remember that the 220 was bought from Cargo Motors in Johannesburg, a dealership that I in the mid-nineties I still used to service my E200 W124.

One car that totally amazed me in the late 60’s was the Pagoda, I still remember one overtaking us and everyone in the car shouted something, including my father. What amazed me was the shape of the curved roof, I still have a clear mental picture of that Pagoda in my mind.

In 1968 my father replaced the 220 with a cream 230S fintail, a six cylinder beast at the time, which we all enjoyed, all six children seated on the back seat. I still remember the price of the 230S was about R3,850, which was damn expensive at the time 🤷‍♂️

After my university studies in the UK, USA and Australia i decided to comeback to settle in SA working in the coal mines in KZN. That’s when I bought the W124 E200 that I’ve referred to above.
After working for the mining companies, Genmin and Anglo I had a short two year stint at Eskom after which I took the plunge into mining related business.

A visit to Johann Rupert’s car museum in Franschhoek set the flames raging in my head about having a similar establishment (a car museum), I remember pacing the building in order to get an estimate of the dimensions of one of the four buildings that they have there. At that point I was quite clear in my head that it was essentially going to be a Mercedes-Benz based car collection that would form the basis of the museum. But where and how do I start? As I was mulling over the idea, that first interaction with the Pagoda in the late 60’s that I’ve mentioned above, came back to ‘haunt’ me, so the very first ever project on my journey to establishing the museum was with a W113 Pagoda 280SL 1969. I bought the car from a Randburg classic car dealership for R180,000 and I drove the car straight to Sandton Panel Beaters for them to do a nut and bolt restoration.

The mechanicals were done by Colin Kean, another Mercedes Benz enthusiast and friend. This marked my entry and passion into classic car world and it started about 17 years ago. I’m proud to say that my entry happened this way because right from the beginning I had to learn to order body and other parts from overseas (UK, Germany, Spain and even the USA), the friendships that were established at that time are still good and active even today!!!!

I’ve always been a Mercedes-Benz person, throughout my life I have had the brand as a first preference to any other brand basically for quality, safety and resale value reasons.

2023 – Miklos Hegyi

 

2023 – Clint Weston

This evening, it is my great honour to recognise someone whose passion for Mercedes-Benz began not recently, but as a child—thanks to his parents. His father drove S-Classes, his mother preferred Mercedes station wagons, and even a G-Wagen featured in the family fleet. With a start like that, it’s little wonder the love for the three-pointed star took firm root.

As the years went on, the “illness”—as we all fondly call the collecting bug—only grew more serious. Today, Herman Brandt’s collection includes everything from pristine Mechatronik restorations to iconic models like the 500K, the 300SE, and both the 300SL Roadster and the legendary Gullwing—each of which are proudly kept right here in South Africa.

His most recent acquisition is truly extraordinary: a 1964 Mercedes-Benz 600, bought from the son of the original owner.

But Herman’s passion doesn’t stop at Mercedes-Benz. His garage also boasts a stunning variety of automotive legends: Ferrari, Porsche, Bentley, Rolls-Royce, and modern supercars like the Porsche Carrera GT and the rare Jaguar XJ220. This is not just a collection—it is a lifelong pursuit.

What makes Herman’s story truly special is that his collection is not kept hidden away. He is always willing to share these exceptional vehicles with the public, and with our club. That generosity helps elevate the profile of the Mercedes-Benz Club of South Africa and brings joy to countless enthusiasts.

His “wish list” of cars—compiled years ago—is still being ticked off today, one dream car at a time. That kind of dedication speaks volumes about his passion and his character.

Herman, your commitment to the marque and your support for the club embody what this award is all about.

2025 – Brain Long

Tonight, it gives me great pleasure to acknowledge someone who has been an unwavering supporter of the Western Cape region and the Mercedes-Benz Club of South Africa.

Bryan’s  love for cars began at a young age. He worked at various car manufacturers during his early years and was always passionate about the motor industry. Alongside Mark and Ettienne, he helped build up a number of Jeeps, which ignited his enthusiasm even further.

In the 1990s, Bryan purchased his beloved R129 500 SL—a car that truly captured his heart—and from that moment on, the Mercedes-Benz bug had bitten.

In 1994, Bryan and his family relocated to Stellenbosch, where he began building his remarkable collection. His passion has always been for SLs, Pontons, coupés, and cabriolets—and more recently, the iconic SLS.

Bryan regularly opens his Jatang collection to our club and has always been actively involved in Western Cape events. He generously makes his vehicles available for special exhibitions, showing great pride in our marque and our members. Most recently, his beautiful Ponton Cabriolet was awarded first prize at the 2024 Cape Concours—an accolade that reflects his dedication and love for classic Mercedes-Benz vehicles.