Mar 26, 2024 MISA, Motor Industry Staff Association, Martlé Keyter, Marlon Roelfze
MISA comment - from Actor to Salesman due to dire economy
Marlon Roelfze had to put his career as an actor on hold to work as a Sales Executive at CMH Gezina in Pretoria, because there is very little work in the film and entertainment industry. “I am very grateful that I got this opportunity. I have to sell ten vehicles and it is nerve wrecking. I have not sold one. But I know I must just keep faith and be me. I love working with people and I love to make a difference,” says Roelfze in his new office.
He is one of hundreds of wellknown South African actors struggling to find work since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. The industry has been in a downwards spiral ever since, leading up to a bloodbath of soaps and series being cancelled last year, including Nikiwe, 7de Laan, DiepCity, Gomora and The River. Roelfze’s spiral started before last year. His last production, Swartwater, aired during the pandemic. Before that he was known for always playing the villain in Egoli, Getroud met Rugby and Villa Rosa.
“I am 50 now, and I never made any provision for my retirement, not having plan B. I decided to relocate from Johannesburg to Pretoria because it is just a bit more relaxed in the countries Capital City. “I immediately joined MISA, the Motor Industry Staff Association, after I saw the Union’s benefits. I have been around the block and know there is simply no other trade union that will be able to compare MISA’s benefits. “I am positive that the tide will change. This is not the end of my acting career, but for now I need to put bread on the table and the retail motor industry is affording me that opportunity,” says Roelfze.
Martlé Keyter, MISA’s Chief Executive Officer: Operations, says unfortunately there are Sales Executives also struggling to make a living because the industry is under severe strain due to high interest rates and the persistent loadshedding. Customers are reluctant to buy or use their cash, either struggling to get vehicle finance due to bad credit and if they can buy, they invest in smaller, fuel efficient vehicles. “I recently received a heartbreaking letter from a Sales Executive who has been in the industry for 25 years and says he cannot make a living.
“I have seen my basic salary climb from R6 500 to R8 500 in 25 years. Dealer Principals have found a vast number of dishonest means to take profits away from Sales Executives by adding expenses such as admin fees in excess of R14 000 per deal, then coupled with ‘deductions’ on specials there is very little left to earn commission from. And all this while Managers and Dealer Principals live in luxury. Other dealers flood the floor with a vast number of salespeople. The dealer ultimately gets its numbers, but the individuals suffer, not getting to the minimum requirements.
“Salespeople get all the risk and very little of the rewards. Errors on trade ins get deducted immediately from salaries, yet vast profits on other vehicles don’t get taken into account. Accidents happen in cars, that’s why they are accidents, yet I’ve seen salespeople forced to sign huge acknowledgement of debts for excesses on vehicles, even when it wasn’t the fault of the salespeople themselves,” the Sales Executive wrote to Keyter.
Keyter says MISA investigated the letter and found that although there might be unethical practises at some dealerships, the majority looks after their employees.
“The current economic situation is taking its toll. MISA repeats it’s plea to the South African Reserve Bank to cut interest rates in order to stimulate economic growth. We acknowledge the SARB’s vital role to fight inflation, but the impact of loadshedding and increasing fuel prices have created a perfect storm and businesses are bleeding dry,” says Keyter.
South African Reserve Bank Governor, Lesetja Kganyago said there would be no interest-rate cuts until inflation is brought under control, remaining resolute despite calls for him to do so ahead of the national elections in May. According to Kganyago the task of taming inflation is not yet complete. Until that is done, he does not see why there should be a change in the monetary stance. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meets six times a year to set the repo rate. The next meeting will be held tomorrow.
In the mean-time the total domestic new-vehicle sales continues to decline. In February new-vehicle sales declined by 0.9%, to 44 749 units, compared with the same month last year.The new-passenger-car market dropped by 3.1%, to reach 28 857 units.
Car rental sales accounted for 12.9% of new-passenger-vehicle sales during the second month of the year, according to Naamsa.
Apr 23, 2025 0
Apr 22, 2025 0
Apr 18, 2025 0