The South African Motor Body Repairers’ Association (SAMBRA), a proud association of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), recently launched an exciting new initiative aimed at strengthening engagement with members in a fun and innovative way. The SAMBRA Ride & Drive concept was introduced in KwaZulu-Natal and has already proven a major success, thanks to the generous sponsorship and support from the Supertech Group.
The first Ride & Drive event, initiated by SAMBRA National Chairman, Dev Moodley, KZN Regional Vice Chair, Brett Winter and Supertech Group’s ARC Manager, Selven Govender, took place on 7 May 2025. Starting at the BMW Pietermaritzburg dealership in Pietermaritzburg. Moodley and Winter hosted the group of members who enjoyed the drive to a tranquil luncheon setting in Howick before returning to the dealership.
“The drive left many of our members in awe of the new technology and comfort available in the BMW executive range,” said Moodley. “The experience provided a unique opportunity for open engagement with members, while also showcasing the kind of premium partnerships we are building in the sector.”
Following the success of the initial event, a second Ride & Drive took place on 2 July 2025, this time starting at BMW Shelly Beach and heading to the Wild Coast for lunch, again, in Supertech Group’s vehicles. Feedback from members was overwhelmingly positive.
At each luncheon, Moodley updated members on key developments in the region and reaffirmed SAMBRA’s commitment to member-centric initiatives. He also extended special thanks to the Supertech Group’s team for their outstanding hospitality.
“SAMBRA takes comfort in acknowledging your leadership and your willingness to extend yourselves unconditionally in support of the MBR sector,” said Moodley. “In these trying economic times, we deeply value partnerships that foster growth in both our fields – including areas like spare supply and diagnostic tooling.”
Moodley made special mention of the continuous effort and commitment shown by SAMBRA’s KZN Regional Representative, Kevin Abrahams. “Kevin has truly extended himself in bringing the Ride & Drive initiative to life,” said Moodley. “His consistent drive to deliver meaningful engagement and value to the MBR community in the region is greatly appreciated. His dedication plays a vital role in the success of these events.”
He further commended Supertech Group’s senior staff, Selven Govender and Anthony Govender, for their active participation, describing the team as “well-oiled” and deeply committed. Commenting on the collaboration Govender said, “We believe in the power of strong industry partnerships. The Ride & Drive initiative was a great way for us to engage with the SAMBRA network in a meaningful way. These kinds of events are not just about driving beautiful cars – they are about driving relationships, sharing knowledge, and creating a more connected automotive industry.”
The Ride & Drive initiative is set to continue in KwaZulu-Natal and will soon be rolled out nationally.
“This is a shining example of a new, member-centric SAMBRA, one that listens, values input and creates innovative ways to bring us closer to our members,” concludes Moodley.
Innovative SAMBRA Ride & Drive initiative connects with members in KZNhttps://t.co/9RfDYbJMF8#ArriveAlive #SAMBRA #RMI @dealerfloor pic.twitter.com/I6TFX7uxmO
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) July 15, 2025
