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A host of high-profile guests attended the SAMIA Industry Achievement Awards Reception, held last evening (12th) at the Stellenbosch University Business School in Cape Town.
With PetroSA now the event sponsor, the SAMIA Awards Reception has become the most eagerly anticipated event of the SA motorsport industry calendar and is alternated annually between Gauteng and the Western Cape.
Reflecting the high level of interest in the development of the South African motorsport industry, influential figures from the motorsport and automotive industries were joined by several senior politicians, including Provincial Government of the Western Cape’s MEC Donald Grant (Education) and the City of Cape Town’s Alderman Felicity Purchase (Economic Development and Tourism). MerSETA’s CEO, Dr Raymond Patel, travelled from Johannesburg to attend his second consecutive SAMIA Awards event, whilst the UK Trade Commissioner, Brian Gallagher was the Special Guest of SAMIA.
An interesting on-stage interview between Brian Sims, SAMIA Founder and CEO, and the UK Trade Commissioner Brian Gallagher confirmed the tremendous mutual benefits that have resulted in the UK for both Government and the motorsport industry from the relationship that has been developed between UKTI and the Motorsport Industry Association (MIA), which was also started by Brian Sims back in 1994. A high level of interest also emanated from the discussions about the rapidly increasing role that the motorsport industry in Europe is playing in promoting environmental technologies which will ultimately be demanded by the automotive manufacturers.
PetroSA was well represented at the Awards, with CEO Sipho Mkhize on hand to welcome guests and to outline PetroSA’s belief in the tremendous potential that a successful motorsport industry offers this country, not only in terms of economic impact, but also through SAMIA’s proposed technical skills training initiatives, helping to increase the number of young people considering technical and engineering careers.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the SAMIA PetroSA Business of the Year Award. It was presented to VW Racing, by PetroSA CEO Sipho Mkhize.
VW Racing’s Andre Van der Watt collected the prestigious Award, which recognizes VW’s huge investment into VW Polo Cup, Formula VW and Rallying.
UK Trade Commissioner Brian Gallagher presented the unique carbon-fibre trophies to the remaining 8 category winners:
- SAMIA/ PetroSA Business of the Year: VW Racing
- Outstanding Individual Contribution: Sarel van der Merwe
- Outstanding Motorsport Engineering: Harp Motorsport
- Outstanding Technical Skills Training: The College of Cape Town
- Outstanding Service Provision: G & A Promotions
- Outstanding Motorsport Management: Whammy Haddad of Toyota Motorsport
- Outstanding Media Initiative: On the Track Racing
- Outstanding Event Management: Western Province Motor Club
For further details please contact Brian Sims at SAMIA
Tel: 021 913 5400
Cell: 071 603 9421
