Erwee takes top spot for 17th year

Martin Erwee, a sales executive at East Rand Toyota, has been uplifting the community for decades and was again recognised.

The top sales executive recently scooped the Toyota Automark sales executive knight of the year accolade for the 17th consecutive year. He was also awarded a knighthood as an honourary knight for the 28th year.

Erwee has been a sales executive at East Rand Toyota in Boksburg for 32 years. This is where he started his career.
The Boksburg Advertiser visited him and his wife, Michelle, at their home in Rynfield.

Toyota Knights represent an elite group of salespeople who are valuable assets to their dealerships and Toyota SA.

Not only do they make significant contributions to the viability, by way of profitability, of their dealerships, but they also promote the image of the salesperson and create aspirational levels for other Toyota salespeople.

The prestigious Knights Investiture ceremony took place at The Capital Zimbali Resort Hotel in KwaZulu-Natal on February 25, where the top achievers of the 2022 Knights programme were announced.

This is a remarkable achievement for Erwee, since the entire Toyota network competes for the knight of the year title.

After all these years, Erwee remains proud of his achievement.

“Each year, I work hard to defend my title, and I’m just as excited as the first time. It’s like putting a Springbok jersey over your head. The honour will always be there. It’s incredible. I got a standing ovation, which was special.

“It’s hard work. Last year was a difficult year because the economy is in a bad state. I’m passionate about my job.

It is not just a job to me. I believe you will never achieve success if you don’t enjoy your career.

“Service is everything. You always have a choice of how far you are willing to go to make your client happy.”

Community upliftment
Erwee is heavily involved with charity organisations such as New Beginnings, the Salvation Army in Benoni and the Delmas Animal Shelter.

He organises colouring-in competitions for the children and treats the elderly to cookies. He also hands out food at the Blue Skye informal settlement.

The Toyota Knight said he wants to assist the most vulnerable, such as families, children and animals.

He explains that some of his clients, who are aware of his charity involvements, will assist with donations. He also receives support from businesses.

“I can’t save the world, but together we can make a difference,” he said.

Family man
Erwee said he would not have been able to achieve what he has without his wife and children, Ashley and Logan ‘Boer’.

“I have an incredible support structure. My family will always be a priority. I will always be there for them.”

Michelle pointed out she is proud of her husband and grateful that he is so ambitious.

“He works hard and will go the extra mile for his clients. We know he is doing good for the community.

Sometimes, the children will also be involved in projects by visiting old age homes or animal shelters.

“I don’t normally stress when they announce the winners at the ceremony, but this year was different. The winners from previous years did not make it this time, so I was the one who was nervous for once.”

Also Read: East Rand Toyota’s Erwee knighted for 13th time

Also Read: Erwee scoops 15th consecutive Automark Knight accolade