The incredible trip – which will happen as soon as it’s safe to travel – comes courtesy of the local UD Extra Mile Challenge, which the duo won back in December 2019. All over the world, UD Trucks holds national driving competitions – and the duo came up trumps. Van der Westhuizen won the Quon category, while Matthyse walked away with the title of Best Quester Driver.
Finals normally in Ageo
In theory, the two South African truck drivers would have then jetted off to the global final of this driver competition, which is held at the UD Experience Center in Ageo, Japan. This ultra-tough event, which pits the world’s best truck drivers against each other, was scheduled to happen in 2020.
But then along came Covid – which put paid to their travels.
However, the chaps at UD Trucks made a plan. And, during a global prize-giving hosted by UD Trucks President, Takamitsu Sakamaki, the 10 winners from nine countries (including our two drivers) were honoured and officially crowned Ultimate Drivers. They each received an Ultimate Driver award … and their tickets to Japan! Needless to say, the two drivers – both pleased as Punch (who wouldn’t be?) – are eagerly awaiting the experience.
Trucking runs in the family
For both of them, it’s the culmination of a lifetime of trucking. Incredibly, both became truck drivers thanks to their fathers. “My father is also a truck driver and I can remember as a child I used to go with him when he participated in driving competitions. I think my decision to become a driver was probably made when I was 13 years old,” reveals Matthyse (pictured above).
Van der Westhuizen’s passion for trucking dates back even further. “My father bought his first truck when I was seven years old. I immediately fell in love with the idea of big trucks. I drove a horse and trailer for the first time at the age of 13. Thereafter, I always dreamed of the open road and the freedom that the job has to offer. Also, I wanted the chance to get to know our beautiful country with its diversity of cultures and people. Back then, I knew that this was the career I wanted to follow. However, at the time, I had no idea of how many job and career opportunities were offered by the field of logistics,” he says.
Matthyse went on to obtain his Code 14 in 2016. “I started my working career as a supervisor at a wood factory for seven years. During that time, I obtained my code 10 licence. When I was 25 years old, I started as a driver at Darling Dairies in 2006. I then went on to get my Code 14,” he recalls. Darling Dairies is a dairy factory that was established in 1991. It has a national fleet of 108 trucks, which are used to transport fresh milk from the farms to the factory and also for the distribution of finished products to the market.
Trucking all over the subcontinent
Van der Westhuizen (pictured above, centre) obtained his Code 14 in 1994. “My first real driving job was at Long Burn Coal (LBC) when I was 18 years old. I worked for three years at LBC before spreading my wings into the exciting world of long-distance and then cross-border work to Botswana, Namibia, Congo, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Swaziland,” he reports.
He currently works at Grain Carriers, which is 30 years old. As the company’s name implies, it hauls grain (as well as various other products and commodities) and it operates a fleet of about 240 trucks.
While they disagree over whether truck drivers are truly appreciated (Matthyse believes that they are; Van der Westhuizen says not, stressing that “years of education are required in South Africa for our society to understand the role of trucks in the supply value chain”), both drivers agree that there are ups and downs to the job.
Driver training vital
“The best is the freedom. The worst is the crime and violence,” says Van der Westhuizen, while Matthyse (pictured above) loves the actual driving. “For me, the best is when you are driving a really big truck; you get that feeling of being invincible! The worst for me is driving on a really bad gravel road … and all the punishment the truck and other equipment endures.”
They also agree on the importance of driver training. “I rate the average South African driver highly, but also know that there are some drivers that need more training and experience. When I started at Darling Dairies, I had no driving experience. I was trained by a very experienced and old school instructor which had a huge impact on me. I think some companies underestimate the value of good training,” says Matthyse.
Van der Westhuizen concurs. “We have a huge skills shortage in the sector. The older drivers fall out and the next generation is not so eager to learn. My dad taught me, still old school style. Training is critical to success in our sector. Our road will never be safe to drive on if we do not have safe drivers on our roads,” he stresses.
Safety to the fore
This reinforces the importance of the UD Extra Mile Challenge, which is all about creating better and safer drivers. Matthyse entered the UD Extra Mile Challenge because he saw it as an opportunity to test himself against other drivers. “To be honest I was quite surprised when I won. But, in hindsight, I think it was because of the good training I had and the fact that I know the trucks so well. My favourite UD is the Quon 26-450. I like the power it possesses and the stability on wet gravel roads,” he reveals.
Van der Westhuizen entered the UD Extra Mile Challenge because “it is a once in a lifetime opportunity and it is a very good platform to measure one’s skill and ability to improve yourself”. “I think I won because I understand trucks and how they work. I also understand how to be a safe and economical driver. These are the factors the keep the trucking wheels turning,” he says.
Turning to his truck, he says it’s important to understand what the UD truck is designed for and also the truck’s abilities. “It’s important to know how the engine and the gearbox work in harmony with each other. The UD 26-450 offers a very comfortable drive,” he believes.
“Be professional!”
Now that they’ve cemented their place in trucking history, what advice do they have for other drivers? “My best advice to other drivers is to be professional in everything you do, and the rest will come,” says Matthyse. “Develop a passion and pride for what you do. Realise your role and responsibility on our roads and society. Get to know the truck you are driving. Be an ambassador for your company. After all, that is what puts food on every driver’s table,” adds Van der Westhuizen.
Japan, here we come
Their next step is boarding that flight to Japan. How do they feel about this? “I am extremely excited about winning the ticket to Japan. It will be my first time in another country, and I cannot wait. I hope to take away lots of good memories,” says Matthyse. “This is unbelievably exciting. I want to be able to say: I am the best driver in the world,” says Van der Westhuizen.
Well, they have proven that they’re up there with the best. We wish both of the drivers well and we say bon voyage – eventually!
