By Otsile Kadiege

Today, Mercedes-Benz South Africa announced personnel changes within its executive committee. Mr. Andreas Brand, currently serving as chief executive officer (“CEO”) and Executive Director of MBSA: Manufacturing, has tended his resignation. He will assume a new role as Executive: Production Network CKD and Mid Volume, based in Stuttgart, Germany, effective from 30 November 2025. In this new role, Mr. Brand will be responsible for seven manufacturing operation plants of Mercedes-Benz AG globally, inclusive of the strategic oversight of the East London manufacturing operations.

Succeeding Mr. Brand in the position as CEO of MBSA will be Mr. Abey Kgotle, effective 1 December 2025. Mr. Kgotle currently serves as the Executive Director of Human Resources and Corporate Affairs at MBSA. He is an accomplished Human Resources and Corporate Affairs professional with experience across the private and public sectors, with extensive experience spanning over 20 years of strategic Human Resources management, labour relations, advanced negotiations, community & social investment, and stakeholder engagement.

Mr. Kgotle has held executive roles at several blue-chip companies across the mining and manufacturing industries including Lonmin Plc, GrafTech South Africa and Samancor Manganese. His public sector experience includes Senior HR Management roles at local government at the City of Johannesburg and Naschem, a division of state-owned enterprise Denel. Mr. Kgotle previously served on the boards of Daimler Trucks and Buses Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd and Mercedes-Benz Financial Services as Chairman and Director, respectively. Beyond his contribution at MBSA, Mr. Kgotle currently serves as Chairman of the Automobile Employers Organisation (AMEO) representing South Africa’s Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).

Mr. Brand will continue to serve concurrently as CEO & Executive Director: Manufacturing of MBSA until 30 November 2025 to ensure a smooth transition. A replacement for the Executive Director: Manufacturing role will be announced in due course. In the interim, MBSA remains committed to its strategic objectives and ensuring continuity of operations during this transitionary period.