ABOUT ROLA

Laurie & Helmine Claassen - co-founders of ROLA

History of the Rola Motor Group

In April 1963, the Rola Group was established. Towards the end of 1960, Mr. M.H (Kiewiet) Cloete, a respected farmer from Karasburg, Namibia, visited the Strand for a brief family holiday and to purchase a new car. During his visit, he befriended the owner of Helderberg Motors and subsequently became a 50% shareholder in the small business. However, shortly after, he was informed that the company, in which he had invested and provided bank surety, was facing liquidation.

After careful consideration, he made an offer to the creditors, which they accepted, thereby making him the sole owner of the business and its property. Subsequently, Mr. Cloete registered a new company, MH Cloete Enterprises Pty Ltd, trading as Rola Motors, naming it after one of his farms in Namibia. He then rehired all the staff from Helderberg Motors to kickstart the new venture. Despite facing challenges in returning the business to profitability, Mr. Cloete contemplated closing it due to sustained financial losses.

Mr. Laurie Claassen, originally from George, pursued a teaching career and later moved to Karasburg, Namibia, where he was appointed as a teacher and met his wife, Helmine Cloete, Mr. Cloete's daughter. Upon learning of his father-in-law’s predicament, Mr. Claassen, along with his wife, offered to manage the newly established Rola Motors. Despite having only a 1961 Zephyr as a significant financial asset, Mr. Claassen sold his car to invest in Rola Motors, comprising a filling station, a used car showroom, and a workshop.

Theo Claassen: Non-Executive Director

Followed up as CEO of Rola until 2016.

Marius Claassen: Chief Executive Officer

CEO of Rola since 2017.

On April 3, 1963, with no prior experience but under the guidance of his father-in-law and with unwavering support from his wife, they embarked on laying the foundation for a prosperous company. By 1974, Mr. Claassen acquired Mr. Cloete’s Rola shares, making him and Mrs. Claassen the sole owners of Rola Motors. Through his years of experience in the motor business, Mr. Claassen recognized the importance of service, leading to the adoption of "Service is your best Salesperson" as the motto of the Rola Motor Group in the Western Cape.

Over the years, Mr. Claassen, with the support of his wife and team, steered and expanded the company, acquiring various brands and premises. In 1986, Mr. Claassen's eldest son, Theo, started at the company as a claims clerk. By 1989, he had risen to the position of Dealer Principal for Rola Mercedes-Benz, also lending a hand at Rola Toyota. In 1992, his younger brother, Marius Claassen, joined the family business, initially serving as a Service Advisor at Rola Mercedes-Benz before advancing to Sales Manager. By the close of 1999, Marius had assumed the role of Dealer Principal at Rola Toyota.

As Mr. Laurie Claassen gradually withdrew from the day-to-day operations, Theo assumed the role of Managing Director in 1993. He oversaw the company's activities until passing the torch to Marius at the close of 2016, when Marius took the helm as CEO of Rola Motor Group.

Heaven-on-Earth Project (HOEP)

• Eight years ago, the Heaven-on-Earth Project (HOEP) was started to help develop skills for the people, and specifically the children, of South Africa. This project focuses on School Readiness for grade R and pre-grade R learners through their bespoke Remedial Intervention Programme, training material and workbooks to help bridge backlogs before learners enter the formal school situation.
• Since 2013, the ROLA group has partnered with this project in supporting 1500 young learners throughout 25 schools and crèches in the Helderberg basin, Grabouw, Kylemore, Franschhoek, Khayelitsha and Delft areas with this Remedial Curriculum and its learning material.
• As one of Heaven-on-Earth’s key sponsors, ROLA also helps spread love and care through events such as Christmas parties and gifts to the young learners of the HOEP centre in Sir Lowry’s Pass and lends a helping hand whenever needed. Together, bringing back hope to the communities of the Western Cape.

Objective

Through our Remedial Intervention Programme the Heaven-on-Earth Project endeavours to help bridging backlogs before learners enter the formal school situation.

Intended Outcome

The intended outcome is to ensure that 90 percent of learners will be school ready in the future compared to the current approximately 20 to 50 percent in some South African communities.

ROLA Group’s Involvement

The ROLA group partnered the Heaven-on-Earth Project since 2013. As one of Heaven-on-Earth’s key sponsors, it plays an enormous role in supporting the Remedial Intervention Programme brought to more than a thousand pre-school learners annually. ROLA also spreads love and care through events such as Christmas parties and gifts to the young learners of the HOEP centre in Sir Lowry’s Pass and lends a helping hand whenever needed.

Thank you to the wonderful, caring group of people at the ROLA group. As Heaven- on-Earthteam we are blessed to have sponsors and friends like you. Thank you for making it possible to bring back hope to the communities in the Western Cape.

BRAND AMBASSADORS

As part of our performance-driven culture, we have linked with some of SA’s top-performing athletes over the years. This includes some championship names from different fields, helping us support our local sportsmen and women, as well as reminding ourselves to continuously improve our own business model and performance alongside them.

We've enjoyed working with these driven athletes and look forward to the rest of our performance-driven partnership going forward.

Mariske Strauss:

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Specialising in cross-country mountain bike racing, Mariske began racing competitively in 2008 and went on to represent South Africa for the first time in Italy that same year. She has been SA XCO Champion a total of 16 times, represented South Africa at the 2014 & 2018 Commonwealth Games, and was selected for the Mail & Guardian Top 200 Young South Africans in 2015.

VIEW RECENT ACCOLADES:

: @mariskestrauss
: @mariske.strauss

Tracey Lange:

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Tracey’s career transformation from a hobbyist to a leading media figure reflects her remarkable versatility and drive. Hailing from Somerset West, she has become a prominent voice in both radio and television. Now a host on KFM, Tracey has also made a significant mark in national television. Since 2012, she has been a presenter on Bravo! (kykNet) and has expanded her TV presence by co-hosting Dancing with the Stars SA and launching the popular talk show Tussen Ons, which tackles contemporary issues with a live audience. Additionally, she leads #Studio 3, a segment featuring talented individuals and local businesses, further solidifying her influence in South African media.

Chad le Clos:

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South African swimmer who has taken the world by storm becoming Olympic, World and Commonwealth Champion, as well as winning FINA World Swimmer of the Year. He became South Africa's most decorated Olympian at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games as well as the Commonwealth record holder in the 50 and 100-metre butterfly.

VIEW RECENT ACCOLADES:

: @chadleclos92
: @chadleclosofficial
: chadleclos.com

Candice Lill:

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Candice Lill is a South African cyclist who competes in both the cross-country and road bicycle racing disciplines of the sport. She proudly represented South Africa at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London as well as many other elite cross-country championships in her career.

VIEW RECENT ACCOLADES:

: @candice_mtb