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A tribute to
Namibia
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Henk Maree, Director, Toyota South Africa Motors, Truck Division: "Toyota is proud to be playing a vital role in the Namibian transport scene. It's a market that is most important to us." |
Anyone who has flown over the Namib Desert will imagine it to be impossible for any living plant or creature to survive in the shifting sands of what is one of the world's most beautiful yet most desolate regions. Yet it is in this desert that botanists have identified more than 3 000 plants - about one-tenth being water-storing varieties.
Among these, the greatest of all is undoubtedly the Welwitschia Mirabilis, commonly known as the living fossil plant. This is one of the largest and strangest plants known to science. It is also possibly the plant with the longest life with Carbon-14 tests showing some plants to be 750 years old and others stretching beyond the 1 000 year mark.
This story serves to illustrate an amazing cultural phenomenon of Namibia. Never look on the surface for its attributes. You won't find them there. You have to go under the surface to discover the true wonders of this land. You have to be like the Welwitschia whose taproot is like a tree trunk growing down 18 metres or more where it draws water from old river beds under the sand. It is true to say that to survive in this land, you need to plant roots that go deep - just as the Welwitschia has done.
The roots of the Truck Division of Toyota South Africa Motors were planted in the soil of Namibia many years ago and since then, I am proud to say that these roots have grown deep and established themselves to the point where Toyota is today an integral part of the make-up of this land contributing to its uniqueness and structure.
The roots of our dealers go even deeper with Pupkewitz Toyota's arrival going back to 1902 when the father of the current chairman and CEO arrived in Namibia as a wagon builder. Ritter's Garage, another of our valued dealers, is the oldest dealership in the country having been founded in Windhoek in 1928.
Our roots with our customers also go deep and we are proud to boast that products such as the Hino Super Dolphin have, over the years, been used in pioneering roles to build the infrastructure of this nation. Today, those Hino's have been joined by the most modern Dynas and the new Hino Profia in carrying out the many and varied tasks demanded of them.
Our association with our neighbouring country Namibia is one we are proud of. It is a strong one and is set to get even stronger now that Toyota Motor Corporation of Japan is boosting the percentage of shares it holds in Toyota South Africa. This will present us with even greater export opportunities.
To our South African customers who travel into Namibia, we urge you to use our dealers should you ever experience any problems on route. You will be assured of the same high levels of service that you are accustomed to in South Africa. Why? Because Namibia is an extension of our Toyota family and as a family member, you will always be welcomed in Namibia.
To our Namibian dealers and customers we thank you for your support and for continuing to make Toyota an intricate part of the Namibian tapestry. This supplement is a tribute to you.
Henk Maree
Director
Toyota South Africa Motors
Truck Division
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