SATMC Unveils HOMEGROWN #DrivingLocal Initiative Ambassadors

SATMC member companies Bridgestone Southern Africa, Continental South Africa, Goodyear South Africa and Sumitomo Rubber South Africa extend their congratulations to the newly appointed ambassadors who will be the faces behind the Conference’s HOMEGROWN initiative.

HOMEGROWN represents what local manufacturing of tyres by the Members’ factories across South Africa means and its values include growing the South African economy and contributing to local employment.

The four ambassadors namely: Matthew Kanniah, a motorsport & lifestyle content creator; Fanelesibonge Bengu, a multi-media journalist who reviews vehicles for Isolezwe, a popular IsiZulu newspaper; Phathisizwe “Nogwaja” Khuzwayo, an inspiring 4×4 off-road enthusiast who has built a reputation within the African market and Marius Roberts, a motorsport and lifestyle review personality, will each use their wealth of knowledge and expertise in their respective professions and fields to further drive the values of what HOMEGROWN means and how it is contributing to the local

Matthew Kanniah is an automotive & lifestyle content creator. Through his personalised HEART OF MOTION platforms, he will use his wealth of knowledge and expertise in the motorsport industry to further drive the values of what it means to purchase and use locally manufactured tyes and how it is contributing to the South African economy, and especially the tyre industry.

Fanelesibonge Bengu – is an experienced and esteemed multimedia journalist with over 10 years of experience in the industry working for one of the country’s leading IsiZulu daily newspapers, Isolezwe News. In 2012, his passion for cars and the industry caught the attention of the then motoring editor of Isolezwe and South African Guild of Mobility Journalists (SAGMJ) senior member Lindani Buthelezi, who took him under his mentorship. Since 2017, he has been entrusted with overseeing all of Isolezwe’s motoring content.

As a full member of SAGMJ, Fanele was selected by industry colleagues to serve on a jury for the South African Car of the Year competition from 2021 until now.

Phathisizwe “Nogwaja” Khuzwayo – is a 4×4 Offroad enthusiast. He was introduced to this sport/hobby in 2017 in KZN in Port Shepstone where he used to watch his neighbours maneuver their vehicles and this ignited the passion for the sport. He is now a seasoned off roader who takes 4x4ing as a hobby. He travels around the country not only sharing his skills, but also teaches and recruits other fellow 4×4 enthusiasts to join this exciting adventure.

Marius Roberts – His career as a television presenter started way back in 1998 when he joined M-Net as a continuity presenter and he has remained in front of the camera in some way, shape or form ever since. He also wears a lot of hats including that of being a Motoring journalist, storyteller and producer, and host & MC.