It was in April 1963 when The Rola Group was first established. Mr MH (Kiewiet) Cloete - a farmer from Karasburg, Namibia - was visiting the Strand for his annual family holiday when he met and befriended the owner of the then Helderberg Motors, bought a car from him, and unexpectedly found himself a 50% shareholder in the previously humble business.

One morning, a short while later, Mr Cloete received a distressing phone call informing him that the company in which he was a shareholder was in liquidation and he was in for some serious financial debts. Being the proud and good businessman that he was, he immediately consolidated some of his assets, paid off the company’s debts, and registered a new company; MH Cloete Enterprises, trading as Rola Motors.

From the get-go, Mr Cloete’s son-in-law, Laurie Claassen - a school teacher at the time - together with the support of his wife Helmine, joined him in enterprise on 3 April 1963 (the group’s official birthdate) as co-owner. His only substantial financial asset at the time was a 1961 Zephyr, which he sold to cover his share of the company which consisted of a filling station, used car sales, and repair shop operating from a small workshop at the time. He also had no previous business experience, but under the mentorship of his father-in-law and continuous support of his wife, they worked hard to lay the sound and solid foundation for a successful company to follow, later coining the phrase, “Service is your best salesperson”, which has become synonymous with Rola Motors. Being the proud and good businessman that he was, he consolidated some of his assets, paid off the debts, and registered a new company, MH Cloete Enterprises, trading as Rola Motors.

In 1994, upon the retirement of Mr Cloete, Laurie Claassen became the sole owner of the Rola Motors company in which he was accompanied by both his sons, Theo - who had joined in 1986 - and Marius in 1993.

When Laurie Claassen eventually retired in 2007, he left his ever-growing empire in the hands of his capable sons which has evolved over the years to what is known today as the Rola Motor Group. Since these humble beginnings, over more than five decades, the Rola Group has acquired and traded in different new and pre-owned vehicle brands, endorsing and serving them with the Rola customer experience of excellence and integrity, through which the group has earned its reputation.

Mr. Claassen had no previous business experience, and under the mentorship of his father-in-law and continuous support and active involvement of his wife, Helmine, they worked very hard to lay the sound and solid foundation for a successful company to follow. The then family residence is these days known as the “Home of Rola” and facilitates the Automotive Retail Academy and training facilities. Laurie Claassen coined the phrase,”Service is your best salesperson”, which became synonymous with Rola Motors. In 1994, upon the retirement of M.H Cloete, Mr. Laurie Claassen became the sole owner of the Rola Motors company; he was accompanied in the business by both his sons, Theo who had joined in 1986, and Marius in 1993. Mr. Laurie Claassen retired in 2007, leaving the company in the hands of his capable sons.

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