The Story Behind Advanced Driving 4 Africa
In 1997, at a time when traditional driving schools were falling short of the real challenges facing fleet operators, Dana Volschenk saw the need for something greater. With a military background and an unshakable commitment to safety, he had witnessed firsthand how untrained driving led to devastating accidents, mounting costs, and even the loss of life through hijackings.
Refusing to accept the status quo, Dana set out to revolutionise driver training across Africa — transforming it from a basic skill into a discipline of awareness, precision, and accountability.
He founded Advanced Driving 4 Africa with one mission: to bridge the gap between theory and reality. Instead of generic classroom sessions, ADA introduced hands-on, on-site training using each client’s own vehicles — ensuring every lesson reflected the real-world conditions drivers face every day. This practical, awareness-based approach quickly became the gold standard for improving safety and fleet efficiency.
Today, ADA continues to honour that founding vision. Our team provides bespoke training solutions that reduce accidents, lower operational costs, and empower drivers to respond confidently to any situation on the road.
What began as one man’s vision has become a movement — protecting lives, strengthening fleets, and shaping safer roads across Africa.
Values That Drives Us
Safety First
Safety isn’t a checkbox for us it’s the reason we exist.
Every session we run is built around protecting real people on real South African roads. We teach drivers to stay present, think clearly, and act decisively in moments where hesitation can cost lives. Safety isn’t just our priority — it’s our promise.
Expertise & Excellence
Our instructors don’t come from classrooms – they come from real-world experience.
With backgrounds ranging from tactical environments to industry operations, we teach what actually works on the road, not what sounds good on a brochure. Excellence for us means practical, proven, and always improving.
Integrity & Trust
We believe in saying things straight, doing things right, and honouring every commitment we make.
Our clients trust us because we communicate honestly, train honestly, and lead honestly. Transparency isn’t a strategy – it’s who we are. When we partner with you, we carry your risks with you.
Personalised Service
No two fleets face the same challenges – so we don’t copy paste training.
We learn your routes, your industry, your pressure points, and your operational goals. Then we build a training plan that fits your world, not the other way around. Every session is tailored, relevant, and built to make a measurable difference.
Continuous Improvement
South African roads evolve – and so do we.
We refine our methods, update our content, and sharpen our approach constantly to stay ahead of emerging risks, new regulations, and shifting operational realities. We improve because your drivers deserve the best version of us, every time.
ADA Team
Dana Volschenk
Founder
Dana Volschenk brings over three decades of experience in advanced driver training, fleet management, and road safety to ADA, the company he founded in 1997. With a military background and a lifetime dedicated to discipline and precision, Dana recognised early on that traditional driver education wasn’t enough to meet the real challenges faced on African roads. His vision was clear — to create a training approach rooted in awareness, control, and confidence behind the wheel. As the driving force behind ADA’s evolution, Dana’s leadership has shaped a company that values both human life and professional excellence. His practical experience and deep respect for safety continue to inspire every instructor, course, and client partnership. Guided by integrity and purpose, Dana’s legacy is more than a business — it’s a lifelong mission to protect lives, empower drivers, and redefine what it means to drive responsibly in Africa.
Eben Jansen van Vuuren
Chief Operations Officer
Eben Jansen Van Vuuren carries forward the legacy of ADA’s founding vision with a modern, hands-on approach to leadership. A seasoned strategist and driver of operational excellence, Eben focuses on turning ADA’s awareness philosophy into measurable impact across every training experience and client partnership. His background in leadership, systems thinking, and people development allows him to bridge the gap between high-level strategy and on-the-ground delivery. Through his focus on innovation, digital transformation, and purpose-driven growth, Eben ensures that ADA not only leads in advanced driver training — but sets the benchmark for how awareness shapes safer, more efficient roads across Africa.
Ruzaan Elliott
General Manager
Ruzaan Elliott has become a cornerstone of trust, consistency, and care within the organisation. As GM, she oversees ADA’s internal operations and client relations, ensuring that every process — from communication to delivery — reflects the company’s values of awareness, integrity, and excellence. Driven by her family and a deep sense of purpose, Ruzaan approaches leadership with empathy and structure. She ensures the people behind ADA — instructors, partners, and clients alike — feel supported, seen, and valued. Her calm, solution-focused mindset brings balance to fast-moving operations, allowing the team to perform at its best while staying aligned with ADA’s mission. Ruzaan’s quiet strength and commitment to genuine connection help sustain the culture of reliability that clients have come to associate with ADA.
Lizzi Volschenk
Brand Manager
Lizzy Volschenk is the creative heartbeat of Advanced Driving 4 Africa, shaping the brand’s voice, image, and emotional connection with its audience. As Brand & Creative Manager, she ensures every detail — from visual design to client experience — reflects ADA’s core values of awareness, integrity, and excellence. With an eye for design and a heart for people, Lizzy brings warmth and authenticity to everything she touches. Her creativity doesn’t just build a brand; it builds relationships — connecting clients, partners, and the team through a shared sense of purpose. Guided by her belief that “The world is your oyster,” Lizzy approaches every challenge as an opportunity to create, inspire, and uplift. Her passion, perseverance, and steady support make her not only the creative force behind ADA — but the quiet backbone that keeps its spirit strong.
At Advanced Driving 4 Africa, we don’t just provide training — we lead transformation.
Our advanced driver programmes are designed to boost efficiency, reduce operational costs, and, above all, save lives.
With more than two decades of hands-on experience, we partner with businesses to tackle their unique challenges and elevate fleet performance to new heights. Our approach is practical, results-driven, and built around one simple truth: awareness behind the wheel creates safety, stability, and success.
Join a growing network of forward-thinking companies that have already reshaped their operations through ADA’s training. Let’s take the next step together — toward safer roads, confident drivers, and stronger fleets.
Affiliations and Accreditations
