Minesh Bhagaloo Drives to the AA

The Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) has appointed Minesh Bhagaloo as its new Head of Public Relations and Advocacy, with effect from 19 January 2026. Bhagaloo brings to the position extensive professional experience, in a career spanning across two decades in both Journalism and Communications.

With an Honours degree from the University of the Witwatersrand in Journalism and Media Studies, Bhagaloo was a senior journalist with the Independent Media Group’s national Motoring titles for almost a decade before leading Product Communications at Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa. For the latter part of the last decade Bhagaloo went on to serve as Communications Director at Ford South Africa, overseeing various critical Product, Corporate and CSR milestones.

“They say that the only constant is change. Joining the Automobile Association of South Africa has presented an opportunity to merge a variety of skills acquired over the years in the various roles I’ve been entrusted with. The AASA is in an invigorating phase, with innovation and growth being key facets of this exciting next chapter. We need to bring this to life for the South African consumer and motorist through showcasing this broader mobility and advocacy journey,” says Bhagaloo.

“We are thrilled to welcome Minesh to the AASA family, with his wealth of experience well-poised to help turn the page on the next chapter of almost a century of the AASA leading consumer and road-safety advocacy. Our mandate is clear, safer vehicles, safer roads, and safer mobility for all South Africans. Alongside this we’ve recently rejuvenated our brand and comprehensively refreshed our broader value proposition. The next chapter is a dynamic one, and we look forward to taking South Africans along this journey with us,” says Bobby Ramagwede, CEO of the AASA.