Inside the 2025 Formula Engen Awards and the operational impact of recognising driver excellence
The most recent Formula Engen Awards, held in late 2025 under the theme Fuel the Drive to Excellence, brought colleagues together for a prestigious gala evening celebrating exceptional performance across safety, capability, customer service, operations and leadership.
More than a recognition event, the awards underscored Engen’s commitment to operational excellence and road safety across its transport network.
The evening featured a keynote address by George Roberts, Engen CEO and Executive Vice President (EVP) South for Vivo Energy, who congratulated the winners and highlighted the critical contribution of Bulk Truck Operators (BTOs) in ensuring safe, reliable fuel distribution. His remarks reinforced the essential role drivers play in sustaining operational resilience in a high-risk environment.
At the heart of the event was the Driver of the Year (DOTY) competition, which places professional drivers at the centre of Engen’s safety strategy. Following a demanding qualification and assessment process, 24 drivers advanced to the national finals, representing the highest-performing Bulk Truck Operators across Engen’s transport operations.
From this elite group, top honours were awarded to Johnysa Pearce, named Driver of the Year – Rigid, from Engen’s Cape Town Terminal in Montague Gardens, and Ernest Ledimo, awarded Driver of the Year – Semi, from the Johannesburg Terminal in Langlaagte. Their achievements demonstrate what is possible when individual competence, system support and a deeply embedded safety culture are aligned.
For Engen, DOTY is far more than an annual accolade, it is a practical operational tool embedded within the company’s Health, Safety, Environment and Quality (HSEQ) framework. The programme reinforces consistent standards across regions and depots while validating driver capability against real-world operating risks.
“The Driver of the Year programme is about setting clear, consistent standards for how fuel transport should be conducted,” says Bonnie Moyo, Engen Transport and Distribution Manager. “It reinforces the behaviours that reduce risk on the road – from vehicle checks and defensive driving to emergency preparedness and professional conduct. By measuring and recognising excellence, we strengthen our safety culture across the entire transport operation.”
As Driver of the Year – Rigid, Johnysa Pearce displayed exceptional consistency across technical, safety and behavioural criteria. His disciplined approach to pre-trip inspections, strict procedural compliance and defensive driving highlights the focus required to manage daily operational risk.
“The DOTY competition reinforces habits that are critical on the road,” says Pearce. “It’s about checking your vehicle properly, following procedures and staying alert, even when conditions are challenging. Those disciplines reduce risk and keep everyone safer.”
He also points to the programme’s realism as a key strength. “The assessments mirror what we face in real life. When you’re transporting fuel, there is no room for complacency. The competition keeps standards high and reminds us of the responsibility we carry.”
In the Semi category, Ernest Ledimo emerged as the top performer, demonstrating advanced vehicle control, spatial awareness and composure under pressure. Driving articulated fuel tankers brings added complexity, making precision handling and emergency preparedness essential skills.
“Driving a semi tanker demands constant awareness,” Ledimo explains. “The competition tests how you respond under pressure and how well you understand your vehicle. That translates directly into safer driving on public roads.”
He also emphasised the importance of teamwork beyond the cab. “Drivers don’t operate in isolation. Safe outcomes depend on the depot, workshop and scheduling teams working together. DOTY highlights how important that alignment is.”
“The DOTY assessment framework is closely aligned to real operating conditions,” adds Moyo. “Drivers are evaluated on theoretical knowledge, HSEQ requirements, alongside practical competencies such as vehicle inspections, precision manoeuvring and defensive driving techniques.”
Emergency preparedness is a central focus of the programme, incorporating live firefighting simulations and scenario-based response exercises. These evaluations test not only technical skill, but also decision-making, communication and adherence to protocol under pressure. Professional conduct at customer sites further reinforces compliance beyond the road environment.
Only drivers who demonstrate consistent excellence across all disciplines progress to the national finals, enhancing the credibility and value of the DOTY title.
While DOTY places drivers in the spotlight, the Formula Engen Awards recognise that fleet safety is the outcome of a broader operational ecosystem. Depot management, workshop maintenance, scheduling accuracy and customer service all directly influence driver performance and risk exposure.
By recognising excellence across these functions, Engen reinforces the principle that safety begins long before a vehicle leaves the depot. This integrated approach supports preventative maintenance, realistic scheduling and consistent operational controls, all key pillars of effective fleet risk management.
Ultimately, the DOTY programme plays a meaningful role in reinforcing Engen’s commitment to road safety. By setting clear benchmarks, identifying best practice and rewarding excellence, it contributes to reduced incidents, improved compliance and a stronger safety culture across the fleet.