The Clubs

The first motoring organisation was the Automobile Club of SA, formed in Cape Town in 1901. This body began to lobby for improved roads and amenities for cars. The effect was a mere ripple in the pond for the motoring numbers grew slowly. The Anglo Boer War ended in 1902, the first car in Johannesburg was registered in 1904, the first American imports arrived in 1906, and the first motor show was held in 1908. Local motor assembly commenced in 1923. 

Other bodies began to spring up around the country: the Transvaal Automobile Club in 1903, the Natal AC in 1906, Pietermaritzburg in 1907, the East London and Border in 1908 and the Queenstown AC in 1916. In 1911 the original Cape Town based Automobile Club of SA received a royal charter and became known as the Royal Automobile Club of South Africa. By 1923 clubs existed throughout the Union, including those in towns and areas such as Winburg, Zoutpansberg, Somerset East, Pretoria, The Midlands, Mafikeng, Cathcart, Aliwal and District. 

The groundswell was such that a Federation of Automobile Clubs was formed in 1923 to co-ordinate and provide greater impetus to the interests of motorists. The disadvantages of many diverse bodies attempting to deal with councils, municipalities and government were fully realised. In 1928, the Queenstown AC was granted permission by the AA of Great Britain to use its car badge and name as a Federated AA. This was where the idea of a nationwide AA originated.

Formation of the AA

In January of 1930 the Federation of Clubs was liquidated and reconstituted as the Automobile Association of SA. The final improvement in the AA’s effectiveness came with the adoption of centralized control in 1934. There was now a significant and recognized body to lobby the interests of motoring in its broadest sense.

AA Functions

Motoring issues with national and macro-economic impact were tackled by the AA. The control and pricing of petrol, the call for a national and uniform motoring legislation, the building of an oil pipeline from the coast to supply the Reef are just some examples of issues tackled in the ten years 1938 to 1948. Uniform motoring legislation was only implemented in 1989 with the National Traffic Act. After decades-long battles with the South African Railways the oil pipeline was finally agreed to in 1963. Without the concerted efforts of the AA the country would have had even longer to wait for such rationalizations.

Head Office

The Association’s first head office in De Villiers Street in Johannesburg was named 'AA House'. Built in 1940, it was designed by architect and committee member A. Rodger-Martin, who later became the first honorary life president. Larger premises followed in 1979 in De Korte Street, Braamfontein. 1995 saw a further move to the newly-purchased Kyalami International Grand Prix Complex. The thatch-roofed, informally laid-out, residential-scale offices were named in honour of long-serving chairman Denis Paxton.

The Fifties

After World War Two the AA grew with the burgeoning of motoring. The 100 000 members in 1953 grew to 250 000 a decade later. The first round-the-clock emergency service was implemented in 1955. A year later AA Technical Services went mobile.

The Sixties

In common with the Western World, the AA experienced its greatest growth during the sixties. Permanent area offices were acquired in all the main centres. AA Publishing produced the first edition of the internationally-respected 'Road Atlas and Touring Guide of Southern Africa' in addition to maps and travel brochures. In 1966 the Royal Automobile Club of SA was taken over.

The Seventies

The Seventies were dominated by the fuel crisis and road safety issues. The AA implemented studies into fuel consumption and alternate fuel, as well as being instrumental in the adoption of mandatory seatbelts in 1978.

The Eighties

The Eighties saw another surge in the growth of motoring. The AA burgeoned to 675 000 members and took over its remaining rival, the motoring organization Rondalia, in the process. While over 100 000 members were assisted by the emergency services, issues such as improved driving skills, toll roads and the high rate of car thefts were tackled.

The Nineties

Increased growth and effectiveness in the services provided by the AA continued. In addition to Emergency Rescue Services, AA Plus, a Legal Services department and AA Auto Shops were established. The financially insolvent Kyalami racetrack facility was rescued when the AA purchased the entire package. In addition to upgrading the amenities and landscaping with indigenous trees, the AA has ensured that the premises are self-funding. They are leased out for exhibitions, shows, conferences, sports and motorsport activities. AA Head Office was relocated to Kyalami during 1995/6.

The new buildings are decorated with motoring memorabilia from the AA’s extensive archives. In addition to material collected during the AA’s history, much has been donated by members. A major contributor was the late Rex Abbott of Queenstown. This historic collection is being preserved not only for the Association, but for the nation.