From Bloemfontein’s best pantyhose salesman in his very first job to building a legendary career with Toyota and McCarthy, Brand Pretorius has lived a story of passion, perseverance, and purpose-driven leadership. In this podcast interview, he shares his remarkable journey and the philosophy of servant leadership that defined his career.

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From a young age, Brand was captivated by the motor industry. He recalls creating a scrapbook of cars he admired as a child, a passion his parents and teachers encouraged. Although he began studying mechanical engineering, he quickly realised it wasn’t his calling. With the support of his mother, he shifted direction and pursued a BCom Marketing degree, later completing both Honours and a Master’s degree.

His thesis focused on the motor industry, and in a bold move, Brand sent extracts of it to Ford, Volkswagen South Africa, and Toyota South Africa. His gamble paid off; within three weeks, Toyota offered him a job. Starting with “a desk in the corridor,” he soon launched the company’s first market research department, setting the stage for a distinguished career.

Looking back, he reflects: “I learned a little bit from success and a lot from failure.”

Servant leadership: Leading with heart

Central to Brand’s philosophy is servant leadership, a belief that leaders achieve more when they serve, respect, and uplift their people. “I believe that people respond much better to love than fear,” he explained. “Before you can ask for a hand, you need to touch a heart. When you care for your people and serve them, you take the relationship to another level. They become more honest, more dedicated, more committed.”

He credits his mother as his greatest leadership role model. “She raised four boys without ever raising her voice. She earned influence; she didn’t demand it. When I became a leader, I adopted the same philosophy. Example is everything. I led by example.”

Brand contrasted this with tyrannical leadership styles, where fear may yield reluctant compliance but never genuine commitment. His conviction is clear: real leaders inspire trust, loyalty and show respect, not fear.

As he put it, “Some of us have to change our heartset, not just our mindset.”

Lessons for today’s leaders

Brand Pretorius’s story is not just about the motor industry; it’s about the kind of leadership that transforms organisations and people alike. His career illustrates that success is not built on authority alone, but on humility, care, and the courage to lead by example.

Watch the full podcast with Brand Pretorius to discover more about his journey, his leadership lessons, and why servant leadership remains one of the most powerful ways to lead in business and life.

🎧 Watch the full podcast: From Toyota to McCarthy: How Brand Pretorius Saved a Company with Servant Leadership

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