- Andreas Brand has tended his resignation and will assume a new role as Executive: Production Network CKD and Mid Volume, based in Stuttgart, Germany, effective from 30 November 2025.
- Abey Kgotle will assume the position of MBSA CEO, effective 1 December 2025.
- A replacement for the Executive Director: Manufacturing role will be announced in due course.
Mercedes-Benz South Africa Limited (“MBSA”) has announced personnel changes within its executive committee. Mr. Andreas Brand, currently serving as chief executive officer (“CEO”) and Executive Director of MBSA: Manufacturing, has tended his resignation. He will assume a new role as Executive: Production Network CKD and Mid Volume, based in Stuttgart, Germany, effective from 30 November 2025. In this new role, Mr. Brand will be responsible for seven manufacturing operation plants of Mercedes-Benz AG globally, inclusive of the strategic oversight of the East London manufacturing operations.
Mr. Brand joined Mercedes-Benz in 1997 in Rastatt, Germany. Notably, he has held various leadership positions in the company and worked in planning and production in Germany and abroad, including managing the press and body shops in Kecskemet manufacturing plant during its initial build and launch. From 2013, he led the paint shop in Factory 56 in Sindelfingen and later served as Chief Engineer: Production for the MFA2 platform. During the COVID-19 pandemic and semiconductor crisis, he was responsible for global programme planning. Since 2022, Mr. Brand has held the position of CEO and Executive Director: Manufacturing, based out of the award-winning East London manufacturing plant, leading the investment of R13 billion by MBSA and the launch of the latest model of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
Succeeding Mr. Brand in the position as CEO of MBSA will be Mr. Abey Kgotle, effective 1 December 2025. Mr. Kgotle currently serves as the Executive Director of Human Resources and Corporate Affairs at MBSA. He is an accomplished Human Resources and Corporate Affairs professional with experience across the private and public sectors, with extensive experience spanning over 20 years of strategic Human Resources management, labour relations, advanced negotiations, community & social investment, and stakeholder engagement.
Mr. Kgotle has held executive roles at several blue-chip companies across the mining and manufacturing industries including Lonmin Plc, GrafTech South Africa and Samancor Manganese. His public sector experience includes Senior HR Management roles at local government at the City of Johannesburg and Naschem, a division of state-owned enterprise Denel. Mr. Kgotle previously served on the boards of Daimler Trucks and Buses Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd and Mercedes-Benz Financial Services as Chairman and Director, respectively. Beyond his contribution at MBSA, Mr. Kgotle currently serves as Chairman of the Automobile Employers Organisation (AMEO) representing South Africa’s Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
Commenting on these appointments, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Mr. Wilfried Porth said: “On behalf of the Board of Directors, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Brand for his visionary leadership, unwavering commitment, and invaluable contributions to MBSA. His leadership is marked by innovation, operational excellence, and sustainable progress for long-term impact. We wish him continued success as he embarks on this exciting new chapter at Mercedes-Benz AG. We warmly welcome Mr. Kgotle on his appointment as CEO of MBSA Limited. We look forward to his leadership that brings new energy and vision as he continues to build on our solid foundation and pursue new opportunities for growth and innovation.”
Mr. Brand will continue to serve concurrently as CEO & Executive Director: Manufacturing of MBSA until 30 November 2025 to ensure a smooth transition. A replacement for the Executive Director: Manufacturing role will be announced in due course. In the interim, MBSA remains committed to its strategic objectives and ensuring continuity of operations during this transitionary period.
