Five-star grading
A hearty congratulations to the latest workshops to receive a five-star grading: Bosch Auto Service Centre in Montague Gardens and LandyLogic in Montague Gardens. Well done!
If your workshop has recently been audited for grading, remember to check our website to find out your star status and see your final outcome report.
An exciting time for MIWA Eastern Cape
It’s been an exciting time for MIWA Eastern Cape, which this month celebrated the opening of its new offices in Gqberha. MIWA National Director Pieter Niemand, joined regional representative Peter Mosseveld to meet the team and enjoy a tour of their new smaller and more compact headquarters. The executives took the opportunity of also visiting a number of members operating in the region including Cliffies Auto Repairs.
Rob’s Motors celebrates 35 years in business
Congratulations to Rob’s Motors, which celebrates 35 years in business this month. Owner Rob Grigoratos joined forces with his father and an assistant to open the five-star graded workshop back in 1987. The team was later joined by his wife, who took on the role of bookkeeper, as well as his son, who completed his apprenticeship and worked at the family-owned business for 17 years before emigrating.
Rob became a MIWA member in 1990 and says that his membership has helped to bolster the business by ensuring it lives up to rigorous standards. This has helped to broaden its customer base.
The workshop has given back to the industry, training no fewer than 14 apprentices.
Rob says that his passion for the motor industry – for both the vehicles, the customers and the challenges of his work – is as strong today as when the workshop first opened its doors. “I am so, so grateful to my family for their support and to my God, who has given me the strength and ability to work with enthusiasm for 35 years. Thank you so much, MIWA, for your support,” he says.
Walk for Cancer
This month, members of Finn Auto and Diagnostics in PE took a step forward for a good cause, walking 5km along the Norm-Hudlin Trails as part of the Algoa Virtual Walk For Cancer. Well done, team!
Cartime West Bank in East London opens doors to TVET College lecturers
Special thank you to Cartime West Bank East London which has opened up its doors to lecturers from the various TVET Colleges. Owner Greg Kriedemann recently hosted lecturers at his workshop and discussed the need for a mechanical workshop in detail. This is so important to ensure there is collaboration between the Colleges and the Industry and apprentices are being trained on issues which workshops require.
Increasing industry’s knowledge base: Total Oil Training workshop
Cliffie Jacobs continues his quest to increase the industry’s knowledge base. This month, his Total Oil Training workshop, hosted for MIWA Eastern Cape members on 16 November, helped to draw attention to the importance of using the correct oil. This has become even more critical since the launch of the Right to Repair campaign, as the fallout of incorrect oil usage can cast a pall on the reputation of the aftermarket. The workshop was well attended, and it was pleasing to note a number of new faces.
Girl Power Saturday
Our Girl Power Saturday, hosted on 5 November, was a great success, drawing 21 women who were keen to expand their knowledge of their vehicles. A number of vehicle-related topics came under discussion, including issues like understanding the dangers of worn brake pads and when to get them checked, suspension, understanding tyre size and wheel alignment. The aim was to equip each guest with practical knowledge that helps them maintain their cars, and we made sure that each left with a sound understanding of the basics of car care. Attendees also learnt how to change a flat tyre – an essential skill.
This is the second workshop we’ve held (the first was hosted back in 2019), and we’re looking forward to empowering many more women. We’re even planning a shortened version of the workshop targeting learners, following a request from Aliwal North Primary and Aliwal North High School.
MIWA Regional Chairman for KZN, Dhaya Naidoo celebrates his 60th birthday
The MIWA Regional Chairman for KZN, Dhaya Naidoo, recently celebrated his 60th birthday and the MIWA National Director, Pieter Niemand, was there in person to congratulate him. His staff and family pulled out all the stops to make this day special for him and show appreciation for all his major contributions to our community and sector. Happy Birthday Dhaya and thank you – we appreciate you.