The celebration was further enhanced by the presence of the Deputy President of South Africa, Paul Mashatile, as the guest of honour.

Says the Deputy President: “The evening's musical collaborations represented a bold fusion of fashion and cutting-edge art. South Africa's music scene is a melting pot of genres and influences, encompassing traditional African rhythms, jazz, hip-hop, pop and current edgy sounds such as Gqom and Amapiano. Our country has a distinct and interesting past, shaped by centuries of interactions between different peoples, traditions and customs.

Returning to Mahindra’s third decade, since entering South Africa in 2004; Mahindra has grown into one of the fastest-expanding automotive brands in the country, with over 100 000 customers, 95 dealerships nationwide and a strong presence in sub-Saharan Africa. The company has invested heavily in the region, strengthening local assembly, dealer expansion and training programmes to enhance customer experience and ensure continued growth.

In 2018, Mahindra established a local assembly plant at Dube TradePort in Durban, reaffirming its long-term commitment to the country. In 2024, Mahindra celebrated the roll-out of its 20 000^th locally assembled vehicle at this plant and announced plans for a new, larger assembly facility, further cementing South Africa as a strategic hub for the brand.

Now, with the XUV 3XO, Mahindra is taking its next major step—expanding into the compact SUV segment with the XUV 3XO representing Mahindra’s next chapter in South Africa.

“Our journey in South Africa has been about more than just vehicles—it’s about building a legacy of trust, innovation and community impact. Over the past 20 years, we have not only grown our footprint but also strengthened our commitment to this market through local assembly, dealer expansion and continued investment in the South African economy.

“As we enter our third decade, our focus remains on offering cutting-edge SUVs that reflect the aspirations of South Africans, while also deepening our role as a corporate citizen through initiatives that go beyond business,” reckons Veejay Nakra, President – Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra and Chairperson of the Board, Mahindra South Africa.

The Mahindra Music Talent Search and Fashion Talent Initiative gave young South African artists and designers a platform to showcase their creativity. The winners of the Together We Rise initiative performed on stage.

“With our new decade ahead of us, our commitment remains stronger than ever—to drive innovation, to embrace the vibrant spirit of South Africa and to uplift the communities that have made Mahindra a part of their journey,” says Rajesh Gupta, CEO of Mahindra South Africa.