LIMPOPO – Frederick Chauke from Malele, near Giyani, has been crowned National Driver of the Year, outperforming over 1 400 truck drivers in the Shoprite Group with his exceptional skills behind the wheel of a 16-wheeler truck.

The 26-year-old received the award at the retailer group’s Basson Distribution Centre in Brackenfell, Cape Town. Chauke expressed immense pride in achieving his lifelong aspiration, saying, “I’m incredibly proud and excited to continue striving for even greater heights.”

In addition to the prestigious title, Chauke won R10 000, various technological gadgets including a smartwatch and a Bluetooth speaker, and an all-expenses-paid trip to Cape Town.

He began his journey with Shoprite on a learnership in 2021 and has been a permanent employee since 2022.

Following in his father’s footsteps, who was a truck driver for the South African government for over a decade, Chauke reminisced about how his father would take him on trips during school holidays, teaching him the nuances of great driving.

His father, a former truck driving competition winner in Cape Town in 1997, is now a proud pensioner.

Chauke takes great pride in his job, appreciating the significant responsibility and the role he plays in ensuring that store shelves are stocked and customers are satisfied.

Ruaan Britz, head of the transport centre of excellence at Shoprite, praised the company’s drivers as the best on the continent and extended congratulations to Chauke for excelling in this year’s rigorous competition, which included a written exam, a yard challenge, and a road test.