As is tradition, the SAGMJ Vice-Chairperson has also taken on the responsibility of chairing the South African Car of the Year (COTY).

The SAGMJ says the new appointment is to fill the position previously occupied by ex-Honda CEO Graham Eagle. Graham has returned to the business sector.

“When Graham resigned as our interim vice-chair, the executive committee unanimously and without hesitation agreed that Mabuyane Mabuza was the best candidate to step into the vice-chairperson position,” says Carl Wepener, Chairman of the SAGMJ.

Mabuyane Mabuza exemplifies a passion for the industry. After completing her journalism studies in 1999, she got her first job at Pretoria News, and before long, Mabuyane was employed by The Citizen newspaper. However, she always dreamed of moving into motoring journalism.

After knocking on many doors, one finally opened, and she won a coveted position as SAGMJ Bursar. After this, she became the first female editor of the Sowetan’s motoring supplement.

In 2010, another opportunity knocked, then Times Media launched MotorMania, a motoring supplement carried by Sowetan, The Times, The Herald (EC) and Daily Dispatch (EC).

Mabuyane later joined the SABC in 2014 as a contractor to provide motoring content for several radio stations, including Lesedi FM, Motsweding FM and Metro FM. During that time, she started building her own publication, XploreZA, an online motoring/travel publication.

During the pandemic, Mabuyane took a break from radio, but she is ready to return to her favourite medium. She will join Kaya959 (Kaya FM) as the station’s resident motoring specialist. Mabuyane wears many hats and is also a successful maize farmer.

“The SAGMJ afforded me the opportunity to follow my dreams, and now I have the opportunity to help shape the SAGMJ for future generations. I’ve come a full circle,” Mabuyane concluded.