Nissan South Africa has strengthened its commitment to the agricultural and industrial sectors with the appointment of its first-ever Nissan Navara agricultural and industrial brand ambassadors for 2026.
The announcement comes shortly after Nissan’s participation at NAMPO Harvest Day, the Southern Hemisphere’s largest agricultural exhibition, where the company showcased its continued support for South Africa’s farming and industrial communities.
Leading agricultural economist Wandile Sihlobo, industrial engineering specialist Gavin Kirstein, and mining and engineering executive Shaldon Naicker have officially joined Nissan as the inaugural ambassadors for the Nissan Navara range.
Nissan says the appointments reflect the company’s long-standing relationship with industries that continue to drive economic growth across Africa, particularly agriculture, mining, and industrial engineering.
Sihlobo currently serves as Chief Economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa and is also a member of South Africa’s Presidential Economic Advisory Council. Widely recognised for his work in agricultural economics and policy, Sihlobo remains actively involved in discussions shaping the future of the country’s farming sector.
Kirstein brings extensive experience from the industrial engineering and power transmission sectors, having spent more than 15 years managing product portfolios linked to mining, agriculture, and manufacturing applications.
Naicker, Founder and Managing Director of 1Leaf Consulting and former Vice President of Engineering at Sasol Mining, has built a strong reputation in underground mining operations, asset management, and operational transformation.
All three ambassadors recently received their new Nissan Navara PRO-4X double-cab bakkies, designed to handle demanding off-road and industrial environments. Powered by a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel engine paired with a 4×4 drivetrain, the flagship Navara model features all-terrain tyres, an electronic rear differential lock, enhanced suspension, and advanced driver-assistance technologies aimed at improving both durability and comfort.
According to Nissan, the Navara continues to be developed and tested with African operating conditions in mind, supporting customers working in agriculture, mining, logistics, and infrastructure development.
Mohamed Abdel Samad, Managing Director of Nissan Africa, said the company remains focused on investing in future industry leaders while continuing to expand its product lineup across the continent.
Nissan South Africa Sales Director Reichardt Groenewald added that the newly appointed ambassadors represent key industries that Nissan has supported throughout its more than 60-year history in Africa.
The new agricultural and industrial ambassadors now join South African rugby players Aphelele Fassi and Jordan Hendrikse as part of Nissan’s growing Navara ambassador programme.