Mayaba joins Isuzu Motors SA

Mayaba’s automotive industry experience spans more than two decades, and she previously became the first female in the South African motor industry to head a motor group listed on the JSE when she was appointed chief executive of Barloworld Motor Retail.

Barloworld, the industrial processing, distribution and services group, announced the proposed sale of its motor retail business to NMI Durban South Motors (NMI-DSM) for an estimated R947.26 million in January 2021.

NMI-DSM is a joint venture of the Barloworld Group in which Barloworld holds a 50% interest alongside the Akoo family.

Following the disposal, Barloworld’s entire motor retail interests are housed within NMI-DSM, with Barloworld retaining its 50% interest in NMI-DSM.

Barloworld said at the time that the disposal was “in contemplation of the Barloworld Group’s exit from the motor retail business”.

The transaction with NMI-DSM was finalised last year with Barloworld reporting that it had sold its motor retail assets in its quest to move to businesses that were considered light in assets and defensive.

Apart from previously being CEO of Barloworld Motor Retail, Mayaba has worked across various fields in the automotive industry, including truck rental, car rental, leasing and fleet management.

She has extensive automotive retail experience and has held the positions of general manager, dealer principal and franchise executive.

Mayaba has also been vice-president of the National Automobile Dealers Association (Nada) and in 2021 was voted one of the Top 100 most influential women in Africa - Automotive Supply Chain.

IMSAf Senior Vice-President Human Capital and Corporate Affairs, Mongezi Hermans, says they are excited about Mayaba joining the IMSAf team, particularly with her wealth of experience. Hermans added that Mayaba will be instrumental in bringing to life the IMSAf vision of “transformation, high performance and results”.

Mayaba says she is looking forward to the challenge.

“The role is both exciting and challenging. It aims at bringing about transformation, not only from a diversity and inclusion perspective, but also from the way we conduct business with our business partners and the dealer network into the future,” she says.

Mayaba has completed a Gordon Institute of Business Science Programme for Management Development and has a diploma in public relations from Lesley Carnelley Business College and an Advanced Certificate in Road Transport obtained from the Rand Afrikaans University (RAU), now known as the University of Johannesburg.

She has also completed dealer principal management training programmes, both at original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and retail levels and has a Sewell’s Dealership Management Qualification.