Chery South Africa has turned matchday passion into something tangible on wheels, handing over a brand-new Chery Tiggo 4 Pro LiT to loyal Mamelodi Sundowns supporter Mbulaheni Simethi after he was named the winner of the brand’s supporter competition held at Lucas Moripe Stadium on 9 May.
The initiative forms part of Chery’s growing partnership with Mamelodi Sundowns, where the automotive brand serves as the club’s Official Vehicle Partner. Beyond branding and visibility, the collaboration is increasingly focused on deepening the emotional connection between the team, its supporters, and the everyday journeys that bring matchdays to life.
For Simethi, a regular face in the Sundowns stands, the moment carried weight far beyond the vehicle itself. Overwhelmed after being announced as the winner, he expressed gratitude to his faith, the club, Chery South Africa, and his family, describing the win as something that felt almost difficult to put into words. What stood out most, however, was not just the celebration, but the practicality the prize brings to his daily life. Attending matches, once dependent on complex arrangements and transport challenges, now becomes significantly easier and more accessible.
He shared that his first journey in the vehicle would be a personal one to church, followed by a series of family drives, placing his parents and loved ones at the centre of the experience. In a moment that reflected both admiration and tactical appreciation of the game, he also named Teboho Mokoena as the Sundowns player he would most like to take for a drive, praising the midfielder’s influence and composure on the pitch.
Speaking on the initiative, Jay Jay Botes highlighted that the partnership with Mamelodi Sundowns is built around more than visibility on matchdays. It is designed to support one of South Africa’s most successful football clubs while recognising the supporters who define its atmosphere and energy. He congratulated Simethi on his win and expressed hope that the Tiggo 4 Pro LiT would serve him and his family well in the years ahead.
The vehicle at the centre of the celebration reflects Chery’s focus on accessible, everyday mobility. The Chery Tiggo 4 Pro LiT is powered by a 1.5-litre engine producing 83 kW and 138 N.m of torque, delivered to the front wheels through a five-speed manual transmission. With a claimed fuel consumption of around 7.0L/100 km, it is designed to balance efficiency with practical urban and suburban usability.
Inside, the model offers features aimed at everyday comfort and convenience, including dual airbags, air conditioning, keyless entry, an infotainment touchscreen system and rear parking sensors. Backed by a five-year/150,000 km warranty, it positions itself as a dependable entry point into Chery’s SUV lineup, particularly for drivers seeking value without sacrificing core modern features.
As Official Vehicle Partner, Chery South Africa also provides a fleet of SUVs for Mamelodi Sundowns’ matchday operations, club engagements and community-driven initiatives. The partnership reflects a shared philosophy between the two brands, built on performance, ambition and community presence, where both the pitch and the road become stages for connection.
The supporter competition itself invited fans attending home games to participate by entering through a ticket-based mechanism, reinforcing the idea that loyalty and presence at the stadium can lead to meaningful rewards. For one supporter, that loyalty has now been transformed into a set of keys, a new journey, and a story that stretches far beyond the final whistle.
