Abraham Lekgari has been driving trucks since 2003. For more than 20 years, he’s made safety his priority, building a disciplined career that is respected in the industry. Now a professional driver for MacDonald’s Transport in Bloemfontein, Abraham knows exactly what it takes to respect the road and deliver on time.
His careful driving made him a natural fit for Hollard’s Highway Heroes – a national initiative that tracks thousands of truck and bus drivers using telematics. It measures key safety factors such as harsh braking, speeding, cornering, fatigue and breaks, all to encourage safer roads and honour the country’s most responsible drivers.
Lekgari says that his initial encounter with Hollard Highway Heroes was through MacDonald’s management, who encouraged him to enter the competition. He entered the competition with no expectations and was pleasantly surprised by the outcome.
In 2024, he placed in the Top 10 of the Hollard Highway Heroes competition. “I was just doing my work, obeying the rules of the road,” he says. “The Top 10 came as a surprise. For me, the real reward is doing the job properly.”
Lekgari used his prize money to meet family needs, paying household expenses and setting aside funds for his child’s education. His victory forms part of the many Highway Heroes who continue to win big for driving responsibly.
His excellent ranking ultimately came down to his daily habits: inspecting his truck before every trip, resting after every two to three hours of driving, keeping a safe following distance and observing speed limits.
He believes Highway Heroes has made safety a bigger focus for more MacDonald’s drivers.
“This competition motivates us to be responsible drivers, protecting not only our own lives and those of others on the road, but also ensuring the safe delivery of goods to their destination. It also reminds us of the important role we play in making sure deliveries run smoothly. When a driver fails to deliver goods to their destination in good condition, it can affect the entire operation and even lead to job losses.”
Lekgari plans to continue competing in the Hollard Highway Heroes competition. This year marks his fourth entry. His longer‑term goal is to own a small truck that will allow him to help his community with local deliveries while creating an additional income stream for his family.
