Heels & Horsepower Magazine

Mitsubishi Motors and AmaZulu Football Club enter into fan and customer focused partnership

Mitsubishi Motors South Africa (MMSA) and Durban-based Amazulu Football Club (FC), have entered into a partnership that will create a sustainable value proposition for both brands.

Mitsubishi Motors South Africa (MMSA) and Durban-based Amazulu Football Club (FC), affectionately known as Usuthu, have entered into a partnership that will offer football fans exclusive offers and create a sustainable value proposition for both brands.

It has been proven time and again that sport has the magical ability to unite people, not only in South Africa, but also worldwide. It creates friendships, promotes tourism within and outside South Africa’s borders, and thereby growing economies.

…following a great season, we are happy to align with AmaZulu FC, to allow both brands to continue to grow and flourish

– Thato Magasa, managing director, Mitsubishi Motors South Africa

 

Originally established as Zulu Royals, Usuthu was formed in 1932 and boasted a membership of approximately 1 million before the end of the 2020/21 season, and it aims to reach more than 5 million by 2032. In October 2020, the club was acquired by Zungu Investments Company (ZICO). 

 

AmaZulu sees the partnership between us and Mitsubishi Motors as the marriage of the aspirational and adventurous brands

– Sandile Zungu, president of AmaZulu FC

“Mitsubishi recognises the power and popularity of sport and following a great season, we are happy to align with AmaZulu FC, to allow both brands to continue to grow and flourish,” said Thato Magasa, managing director of Mitsubishi Motors South Africa.

“AmaZulu FC wants to conquer the continent as well as at home. This is akin to Mitsubishi vehicles conquering outdoors and in urban terrains. AmaZulu sees the partnership between us and Mitsubishi Motors as the marriage of the aspirational and adventurous brands. We are very excited,” commented Sandile Zungu, president of AmaZulu FC.

“There is a strong synergy between Mitsubishi and AmaZulu FC,” said Jeffrey Allison, general manager of marketing at Mitsubishi Motors South Africa. “The club has a strong reputation for being fresh, agile and trustworthy, with strong ties to the community. These are all traits that Mitsubishi identifies with and is known for, so we believe the partnership will be a fruitful one for both brands.

“Usuthu has ambitious plans for their centenary in 2032, including becoming football warriors on the continent. With resilience and relentless passion, our partnership will set our brands on a course to achieve unprecedent success,” said Allison.

Added Magasa: “Our ultimate goal is not only commercial, but to also increase societal benefits for all parties. We are convinced this partnership will go a long way towards making a difference in the communities we operate in as more people get to experience the brand for themselves.”

Mitsubishi Motors South Africa appoints new MD

Mitsubishi Motors South Africa is pleased to announce the appointment of Thato Magasa as its new Managing Director.  Magasa succeeds Pedro Pereira, who had been in the role since 2015.

The new Mitsubishi MD is no stranger to the automotive industry and has worked in numerous roles within the Motus Group since he first joined the company in 2009.

Following a short break in 2012, he returned to the Motus Group holding various roles at Mitsubishi Motors South Africa, including that of Operations Manager, and then moved to another senior role within the Motus Group – this time at Renault South Africa.

I am highly passionate about the continuous development of people towards the achievement of organizational goals.

– Thato Magasa, Managing Director, Mitsubishi Motors South Africa

“Having spent a large part of my career working at challenger brands, I have always found that it is undoubtedly the people within the organization who make the difference,” Thato Magasa says. 

“I am highly passionate about the continuous development of people towards the achievement of organizational goals. Our end goal is to offer a consistently high-quality retail and ownership experience of our vehicles, which will be heavily reliant on our people – both within Mitsubishi Motors SA and the dealer network at large.”

Prior to this, Magasa had been the General Manager for Sales at Renault SA, after completing a 12-month development program within the Renault Group. He also holds a B-Com Accounting degree and acquired his MBA at GIBS in South Africa.

Magasa is extremely enthusiastic about the challenge on hand and has made a great start within this new position.