The South African Guild of Mobility Journalists (SAGMJ) has announced a new Car of the Year (COTY) Committee for the 2025 Car of the Year competition, sponsored by Old Mutual Insure. The COTY Committee is mainly responsible for running the most prestigious and longest-running automotive competition in South Africa. It comprises highly capable automotive media members from the SAGMJ. They represent different titles in their own right and are part of the bigger Jury pool that diligently works and votes to determine all the COTY Category winners.
Earlier this year, Thami Masemola – who also serves as the Vice Chairman of the SAGMJ – was elected 2025 COTY Chairman. The following is the complete list of the six members that make up the new COTY Committee:
- Thami Masemola – IN4RIDE, Radio 2000, Power 987
- Lerato Matebese – Top Gear SA, Mail & Guardian
- Melinda Ferguson – Daily Maverick, Cape Talk
- Jason Woosey – IOL
- Brenwin Naidu – Sowetan, Times Live, Sunday Times
- Sibonelo Myeni – Imoto Media, Ukhozi FM
“I am extremely proud to be working with such a distinguished and diverse group as my COTY Committee colleagues,” said Masemola. “They represent some of our very best and are absolutely up to the task of delivering a credible and fair competition. We will also announce some exciting developments attached to COTY in due course. With Old Mutual Insure steadfastly supporting COTY for the third year in a row, the SAGMJ is galvanised towards continuously improving COTY.“
“Old Mutual Insure is proud to support this prestigious competition once again,” said Jerry Anthonyrajah, Chief Commercial Officer of Old Mutual Insure. “The SA Car of the Year sets a benchmark for excellence in the automotive industry, and we’re excited to see this year’s committee, which consists of some of South Africa’s top automotive journalists, bring their expertise and passion to recognise the very best in motoring.”
In 2025, a new SA Car of the Year will be announced, succeeding the reigning COTY, namely the BMW 7 Series. With well over 50 new cars launched in South Africa between January and December 2024, the rigorous processes towards finally announcing a new winner have begun in earnest. This includes the election of the SAGMJ’s Jury members – who ultimately decide which of these cars deserve to win this sought-after crown. Finalist cars will soon be voted for by the SAGMJ membership, leading to the testing days in March 2025, where winners in the different Categories will be determined.
“The 2025 COTY Committee consists of members with impeccable credentials and experience,” said SAGMJ Chairperson Mabuyane Mabuza. “I’m confident that the 2025 COTY is in good hands.”
