Hot on the heels of the 2012 Truck Driver of the Year Competition, winner of the coveted three-day challenge, Heinz Maletsky of Ekundi Farming, took delivery on behalf of the company of the latest R500 Scania long-haulage Truck from Scania Truck Namibia.

This, according to Ricardo Van Wyk (Truck Namibia Sales Executive), is the latest edition to the Otjiwarongo-based Ekundi fleet of eight trucks, and Heinz will be assigned to drive the N$1.4-million state-of-the-art truck with specially built and fitted trailer.

The R500 Scania truck is the latest in the series, and is powered by a V8 engine, which is tailor-made for long-distance driving and heavy haulage.

Says Van Wyk. “Heinz is an excellent driver and by winning the first Namibia Truck Driver of the Year competition, has qualified for the South African Truck Driver of the Year competition in August, where he will be representing Namibia.

“Heinz stands a really good chance against stiff competition down there, and will be accompanied by six other drivers from Namibia who should do us proud.”

The 50-something year old Heinz has been working for Ekundi Farming as a long-haulage driver for several years. His task is to transport up to a 56 tonne load of gypsum and cement from Swakopmund to the cement factory in Tsumeb?????????.

Owner of Ekundi Farming, Gunther Kahl, says he has selected the R500 Scania because of its superior power and strength in transporting heavy loads, and of the seven drivers employed in the company, all participate in a regular incentive-based in-house truck driver competition which aims at maintaining driver safety and driving skills at the highest basis.

 It was mentioned that not surprising, Heinz has won two of these competitions in succession, which he clinched because of his superior driving abilities.

 “I set a high standard of safety every minute of the day with my drivers, because the responsibility of driving big trucks with extremely heavy loads is a responsibility that I take very seriously, “said Gunther.

“It should also be the responsibility of all of us to make our roads a safe place, and I call upon all  transport companies to ensure that the driving skills of their truckers are in the best interest of all motorists on the road.”