The first intake of young people attending Hyundai Automotive South Africa’s Sales Cadet Programme has graduated after almost three months of training and have already taken up their positions at dealerships in Hyundai’s countrywide network.
The 17 graduates who passed their tests and exams received their certificates from Gideon Jansen van Rensburg, CEO of Hyundai Automotive South Africa, and other members of the company’s executive at a ceremony.
“Today is only the start,” said Jansen van Rensburg to the graduates before he told them about the success story of Colonel Harland Sanders, founder of the Kentucky Fried Chicken food chain, who suffered several setbacks in his life before his KFC franchise brought him fame and wealth.
“What can we learn from this story? There is no replacement for perseverance and hard work. You have all the tools. We equipped you – you know what to do now,” said Jansen van Rensburg to the graduates. “You have to have a plan every day, you have to execute it. Nothing happens by chance.”
Tamika Mercedes, instructor and study leader of the sales cadet programme also inspired the new sales executives with her story of perseverance, which brought her success after she arrived in Johannesburg, with no job and having to sleep on the street.
“Nothing in life is too hard,” said Tamika, who announced herself at a training academy in Braamfontein and was hired. “COVID eventually brought me to Hyundai as a trainer. But I took the bull by the horns and started the training academy. Thank you for taking one more step when you thought you could not,” was Tamika’s message to the graduates.
Two special awards were handed out at the graduation ceremony:
A special prize for the highest sales (a total of 18) during the cadet programme was awarded to Brenda Ramotsemeng. Brenda, who has assumed her position as sales executive at Hyundai Weltevredenpark in Johannesburg, also received a R10 000 prize, announced by Gideon Jansen van Rensburg, CEO of Hyundai Automotive South Africa.
Lindiwe Nkiti received the Team Player Award, and she was also the recipient of a R10 000 prize from the Hyundai Automotive SA CEO. Lindiwe has started working as a sales executive at Hyundai Sandton.
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Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?
George Carlin
Volvo has confirmed that its vehicles will now integrate Google’s Gemini artificial intelligence system. This development builds on the company’s existing collaboration with Google, which already provides Android Automotive OS and Google services in Volvo models.
New vehicle sales in 2026 continued their positive trend in April, with the 47 979 units sold marking the best April figure since 2013. This represents a remarkable performance by local automotive retailers despite a host of economic headwinds and a challenging trading environment.
April 2026 marked a turning point in South Africa’s economic landscape, as global energy markets were jolted by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, according to naamsa | The Automotive Business Council.
