For centuries, Husqvarna has been trusted to provide world-leading outdoor tools solutions that make a difference. The brand has a large footprint in Africa, but it’s expanding at a rapid pace, making it the ideal time to partner with a much-loved local personality that embodies the innovation and excellence for which it’s known. Husqvarna is proud to announce its first-ever African brand ambassador, Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira.

Tendai isn’t just one of South Africa’s most talented rugby players; he’s also a family man who embodies the core values of the brand – commitment, teamwork, family and support. In short, he’s a natural fit. “I’m very honoured to be a part of the Husqvarna group,” says Tendai. “It’s a world-class brand, and it’s incredible to be working with such a professional team”. (A big compliment when you consider the star athlete’s other teammates.)

Products that make a difference

Welcoming Tendai into the Husqvarna family meant ensuring he’s got all the products he needs to help him take the very best care of his garden.  Just one that’s making a world of difference to the Mtawarira home is the brand’s best-selling automower®. 

“I’m often on the road or on the field so, when I was home, much of my free time was spent doing chores around the house. Now, because all the mowing is done for me, I am able to enjoy more time with my family.” The automower® is one of Husqvarna’s many battery-driven “Silent Nature™” products. As it’s powered by electricity, it doesn’t produce harmful emissions and works hard in virtual silence. As you can imagine, Tendai’s neighbours are big fans too. “No more noisy mowing on Sundays,” he laughs. In fact, he now never has to spend any of his days cutting grass. “When I spend time overseas I now don’t have to worry about coming home to an overgrown garden. These products are really making a difference!”

Another Husqvarna item making life easier for the Mtawarira’s is the brand’s high-pressure washer. It’s so much fun to use that Tendai’s kids are actually looking forward to helping their dad wash the family’s cars. “Everyone was also really excited about the generator,” says Tendai. “Now we’ll never miss another game on TV when there are power cuts!”

Eyes on the future

According to Husqvarna Africa’s regional marketing manager, Jenna Robinson, the brand is widely recognised throughout the continent. “We have a presence in 30 countries in Africa and are the leading professional brand within our market,” she says. However, the company is looking forward to emboldening its already strong position by partnering with Tendai, a personality whose appeal goes beyond borders.  As it stands, the product range for Africa includes over 280 items, and the catalogue is ever expanding as it innovates. Still, Husqvarna wants to move in a way that’s strategic as well as sustainable.

“By 2025, 60-percent of the global population will be living in cities; fewer will have gardens and shared urban green spaces will become more relevant. We need to think ahead, plan for the future and worry more about emissions - hence our extensive range of battery products and ‘silent nature’* drive,” says Robinson. “Less noise, less disruption, less harm to the environment - we believe in that, and it helps us stand out.” 

To watch the new campaign with Tendai – visit https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFPFCTqrs5BACrB9LmCsT4A/videos 

To learn more about the brand and find your nearest Husqvarna dealer, visit www.husqvarna.co.za

About Husqvarna

Swedish-owned Husqvarna is a world leader in outdoor power products, operating in South Africa via a specialist network of dealers. Over the past 330 years, they’ve manufactured everything from muskets to their iconic chainsaws and are now the world leader in robotic mowing.

Towards the end of Mo'vember – when the moustaches will be in full flourish – join us for a charity fun run/walk through the Stellenbosch vineyards at Remhoogte Wine Estate as we give one final hurrah to the impressive 'Taches of the month. In aid of Operation Smile SA and The Lunchbox Fund, Signature of Hope Trust will be launching the inaugural Cashes for 'Taches 5km fun run. Your 'Tache need not be real; all mouth brows, face-grown or otherwise, are welcome. After a quick morning jaunt (or stroll) through the beautiful countryside, you can enjoy your first half-pint of Wild Beast craft beer on us in your custom Cashes for 'Taches beer glass (which is yours to keep!).

The day of family fun starts with the off-road 5km fun run/walk and continues with lounging on the lawn with your celebratory beer in hand. There will also be food stalls, a cash bar and a jumping castle for the kids. Everyone under 16 years of age can participate for free. Spot prizes will be awarded for the best Bro-merangs of the day!We encourage you to make a day of it by bringing blankets and chairs to picnic on the lawn but, please note, no food or drink (other than water, energy drinks and snacks for the race) will be permitted. There will be food and drinks (soft drinks, coffee and alcoholic) available for purchase on the day.

A first aider/paramedic will be on site for the duration of the race. Please follow the instructions of the marshals along the route at all times. In an attempt to reduce litter, there will be no water stations or bins along the route, so please bring your own water bottle or camel pack and keep your trash secure until the end of the race where bins will be provided. Secure parking will be available on the day. Facilities will be open during the event. Please arrive early to avoid the rush. The race starts at 9 am sharp, but try to arrive from 8 am to secure your parking space at the front (and perhaps grab a coffee from our on-site vendor). Dogs are unfortunately not allowed.

Disclaimer: All participants entering and participating do so at their own risk. Signature of Hope Trust and Remhoogte Wine Estate shall not be liable for any claims /s or damage arising or suffered either directly or indirectly from personal injury or harm whatsoever, including death, or any damage whether direct or indirect to personal or other property whatsoever, and howsoever caused. Furthermore shall, by doing so, be deemed to indemnify the above mentioned parties and their employees against any liability for damages, howsoever caused.

13 JUNE 2016, JOHANNESBURG – Jeep Team’s Thomas van Tonder and Carina Marx dominated the toughest Beast OCR Challenge yet, with both athletes claiming the respective Men’s and Women’s titles at the event, which took place on Saturday, 11 June, at The Wedge in Muldersdrift, Gauteng.

Van Tonder remains unbeaten, having now won all five of The Beast Challenges since the series launched in 2015, while Marx was the only female competitor who managed to finish the extreme Savage Beast Elite course (30 challenging obstacles over a 15km trail run).

The Men’s race began with a fast sprint to the first obstacle, a rope climb, which was then followed by a water crossing through a freezing pool. Van Tonder and Michael Joubert reached the water first, closely followed by Marius Smith and Bradley Claase.

Van Tonder and Joubert raced alongside each other for most of the race, until reaching the final game-changing obstacle – a 50m-long sequence of ropes, nets, rings, chains and monkey bars, which was very similar to Jeep Warrior’s Breaking Point, only much longer and tougher.

Van Tonder got through the obstacle on first attempt, and then on to the finish to claim the Men’s title in 1h23m. Joubert finished 2^nd in 1h26m, followed by Smith in 3^rd (1h29m) and Claase 4^th in 1h31m.

Only four female athletes competed in the Women’s elite race, which presented the same course as the Men’s event. Marx led from the start, managing to also get through the last 50m obstacle on her first attempt. She was the only elite female competitor to finish, in a time of 3h19m.

Said Marx, “Comparing this race to the very first Beast Challenge, I have to give the team a big applause. The route was marked clearly and the obstacles were of a high standard. Course designer, Jason Friedman, designed a very tough course. He combined a whole lot of tough obstacles, from rope swings, to tyres, to a long net climb, body weaver and finally handle swings. Thankfully I wasn't under any pressure when it came to that last monster of an obstacle and could take my time on every section. After getting through two thirds, the true test came. I was fighting my mind and my tired muscles. I started shaking uncontrollably, but with the help of a few friends and a crowd chanting my name, I had no other option but to finish this race. So I did just that and conquered The Beast.”

THE BEAST CHALLENGE RESULTS:

MEN SAVAGE ELITE BEAST:

1. Thomas van Tonder - 1:23:39
2. Michael Joubert - 1:26:51
3. Marius Smith - 1:29:02
4. Bradley Claase - 1:31:06
5. Willem Erasmus - 1:43:05

WOMEN SAVAGE ELITE BEAST:

1. Carina Marx - 3:19:20

Other Jeep Team results…

OCR

In the Western Cape, Jeep Team’s Jay Jay Deysel competed in the inaugural Grind Indoor Sprint Obstacle Course Race, which took place in Cape Town on Saturday, 11 June.

The unique event, the first of its kind in South Africa, took place inside the Bellville Velodrome and saw 220 competitors battle it out over 6 elimination rounds, culminating in the finals where 15 of the top athletes went head-to-head.

The course consisted of a 1km sprint with 15 intense obstacles, and attracted professional athletes from a range of sports disciplines, including OCR, gymnastics, martial arts, rugby and trail running.

Deysel managed an impressive 2^nd place podium finish. Trevor Lagerwey won the Men’s event.

Said Deysel, “I managed to get good and consistent times in the elimination rounds and I'm very happy to say that I finished the day in 2^nd place behind Trevor Lagerwey who was very strong and consistent throughout the day. A big well done to The Grind team for the awesome event they put together. I had so much fun and definitely think this is something that’s going to make a name in the OCR industry.”

Paddling

On Saturday, Jeep Team’s canoe king, Hank McGregor, continued his winning streak, this time winning the K1 title at the South African Canoe Marathon Championships, which took place in treacherous windy conditions in Cape Town.

In a reversal of last year’s race, McGregor narrowly edged out 2015 K1 winner, Andy Birkett, in a thrilling sprint finish to claim the title a split second ahead of Birkett. Brandon van der Walt finished 3^rd.

The result means McGregor and Birkett have now qualified for the SA team heading to the Canoe World Championships in Germany later this year, where McGregor will be aiming to claim his seventh world title.

On Sunday, McGregor partnered with Siseko Ntondini to compete in the K2 SA Championships, with the duo finishing 3^rd. Birkett / Louis Hattingh won the K2 event, with Van der Walt / Stu McLaren in 3^rd.

Said McGregor, “I am stoked with this win and really looking forward to the World Champs. There were five boats together coming into the last turn and the tough conditions asked a lot of questions. Thanks to everyone for all your support on the bank and well done to all the competitors on a solid race.”

MTB

Jeep Team’s MTB athlete, Thinus Redelinghuys, partnered with Timothy Hammond to take on the three-day, 237km Gem Diamonds Kalahari Challenge MTB Stage Race, which took place in Botswana from 10 – 12 June 2016.

Limited to a field of just 300 riders, the Kalahari Challenge is a full-service stage race set in the bushveld of southern Botswana. The race offered a variety of single track through the bushveld, gnarly technical uphills through the Kalahari Mountains and hardpack track.

Redelinghuys and Hammond led the race from start to finish, winning all three stages, and culminating in a total time of 9h51m15.

Back in South Africa, Jeep Team’s Pierre Smith competed in Round 4 of Ashburton Investments’ National MTB Series, which took place at Van Gaalen, North West province, on 11 June.

Smith finished the 113km ultra marathon in 13^th overall in 5h53. Max Knox won the Men’s race in 4h45, followed by Nico Bell in 2^nd (4h48) and HB Kruger 3^rd (4h50).

Said Smith, “Yesterday was a proper challenge at Van Gaalen racing the 4^th leg of Ashburton Investments’ National MTB Series. The 113km race with almost 2000m of climbing over very tough terrain, was a good test for the body, both physically and mentally. It was brutal, but I’m happy with my top 15 finish. Thanks Jeep Team for the immense support.”

#JeepTeamSA

Editors’ Notes
For more information please contact Bronwen Blunden on 079 060 1905 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..