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For 50 years, the Road Freight Association (RFA) has helped drive South Africa’s economy by ensuring a stable labour environment, safer and more efficient logistics operations through compliance, conformance and better technologies and better reasonable legislation through engagement and negotiation. This will be celebrated at its 2025 Convention, set for 23-25 May at the Champagne Sports Resort in Drakensberg.
Themed “A Celebration of Trucking,” this annual three-day event gathers hundreds of industry leaders to honour half a century of resilience and innovation. With road freight hauling over 80% of the nation’s goods, the convention celebrates a sector that keeps South Africa’s heart pumping.
A packed three-day programme
The festivities kick off on Friday, 23 May, with the Golf Day Challenge, a lively networking tradition set against the Drakensberg’s rolling hills. After prize-giving, attendees can unwind with pre-dinner drinks in the Truck Display area, where gleaming rigs showcase the industry’s muscle. The evening ends with a welcome function, setting a festive tone.
Saturday’s conference dives deep: a panel of experts tackles economic headwinds, a session explores AI’s role in trucking’s future, and another examines rail partnerships to ease road strain.
Quizzes, a surprise guest appearance, and pre-dinner drinks lead into the black-tie Gala Dinner - a glitzy affair expected to stretch late into the night. Sunday wraps with reflections, networking, and a look ahead.
Industry Leaders Share Insights
RFA Chairman Penwell Lunga will reflect on five decades of advocacy, while Steven Sutherland, General Manager at MiX by Powerfleet, unpacks the role of telematics in smarter fleets. Political analyst Dr. Ongama Mtimka will decode policy shifts, and Ricardo Smith (pictured above) from Absa will explore investment trends shaping logistics.
“For 50 years, the RFA has kept South Africa moving, pushing for smarter, safer, greener trucking,” says Gavin Kelly, CEO of the RFA. “This Convention isn’t just a celebration—it’s our call to tackle today’s challenges, from fuel costs to infrastructure, and to seize tomorrow’s opportunities.”
The Backbone of South Africa’s Economy
Since 1975, the RFA has fought for an industry that employs thousands, links farms to cities, and fuels trade with neighbours. Today, it faces rising costs, crumbling roads, and climate pressures - but also opportunities like global supply chains, freight villages, higher sector compliance, ground-breaking technologies, digital tools and green fuels. This Convention blends nostalgia with strategy, spotlighting a sector that’s adapted and thrived for half a century.
For more information on the event, visit www.rfa.co.za/convention2025
