The first intake of young people attending Hyundai Automotive South Africa’s Sales Cadet Programme has graduated after almost three months of training, and have already taken up their positions at dealerships in Hyundai’s countrywide network.

The seventeen graduates who passed their tests and exams received their certificates from Gideon Jansen van Rensburg, CEO of Hyundai Automotive South Africa, and other members of the company’s executive at a ceremony on 24 May.

“Today is only the start,” said Jansen van Rensburg to the graduates before he told them about the success story of Colonel Harland Sanders, founder of the Kentucky Fried Chicken food chain, who suffered several setbacks in his life before his KFC franchise brought him fame and wealth.

“What can we learn from this story? There is no replacement for perseverance and hard work. You have all the tools. We equipped you – you know what to do now,” said Jansen van Rensburg to the graduates. “You have to have a plan every day, you have to execute it. Nothing happens by chance.”

Tamika Mercedes, instructor and study leader of the sales cadet programme, also inspired the new sales executives with her story of perseverance that brought her success after she arrived in Johannesburg, with no job and having to sleep on the street.

“Nothing in life is too hard,” said Mercedes, who announced herself at a training academy in Braamfontein and was hired. “Covid eventually brought me to Hyundai as a trainer. But that did not deter me, and I started the training academy. Thank you for taking one more step when you thought you could not,” was Mercedes’ message to the graduates.

Two special awards were handed out at the graduation ceremony:

• A special prize for the highest sales (a total of 18) during the cadet programme was awarded to Brenda Ramotsemeng. Brenda, who has assumed her position as sales executive at Hyundai Weltevredenpark in Johannesburg, also received a R10 000 prize, announced by Gideon Jansen van Rensburg, CEO of Hyundai Automotive South Africa.

Lindiwe Nkiti received the Team Player Award, and she was also the recipient of a R10 000 prize from the Hyundai Automotive SA CEO. Lindiwe has started working as a sales executive at Hyundai Sandton.