You voted for them and you support them – but wouldn’t you like to know a little more about your Regional Committee members? That’s why we’ve introduced a new series, telling you a bit more about the people taking our association forward. This month, we’re chatting to the members of the Central Region’s Regional Committee.
This Regional Committee is headed by Andrea Bognor Botha of Bognor Motor City. You could say that the industry is in Andrea’s blood – her father was a mechanic, and she inherited his workshop when he passed on. “I didn’t want to close it as that would mean giving up something I loved about him. Even today, everything I do is centred around doing things my dad would be proud of,” she says. Andrea believes that Gauteng is an especially “lively” region, thanks to the massive motor shows that take place here – namely Automechanika and the Festival of Motoring, as well as the outstanding training opportunities available. Her goal is to increase the number of qualified artisans within the region; a trend which she hopes will spill over to other regions.
Andrea is supported by Vice Chairperson Boitumelo Pheko Moroe of FMC Bosch Car Services. Boitumelo’s passion for all things automobile was sparked by her family, who were all involved in the taxi industry, but it was only after she undertook her automotive training and started an automotive electro-software company (which has since mushroomed into several branches) that the bug really bit. “I enjoy solving complex problems and being part of the solution,” she explains. She is hoping that the year brings about an end to the skills gap which she maintains is currently one of the industry’s biggest challenges. “I also hope to see more women being exposed to the industry, fairer competition, less OEM market monopoly and generally a better-regulated industry.”
The committee itself comprises members Nico Grobler of Cassies Motors, Les McMaster of Move Garage Hyde Park, Lucky Mokoena from De-Vine Motors, and Leisl Venter of LR Auto Workshop & Service Centre and Dineo Glomane of Womech Mechanical Works Specialists. Nico is one of MIWA’s original members, having joined the association at inception, while his experience as a mechanic stretches back 50 years. Les’ career is equally long-standing: having started out 52 years ago, he joined MIWA 27 years ago and has served as both National Vice Chairman and National Chairman. Lucky is currently celebrating his second year as a MIWA member, while Liesl is now in her fifth year: she and her husband joined in 2021, after taking the bold move to open a workshop (which has already received a five-star rating) during the 2020 Covid scare. Finally, Dineo has been in the industry since she first started her apprenticeship as an auto electrician 19 years ago. She’s been a MIWA member since 2019 and is also the director and workshop manager at Womech Mechanical Works Specialists where she runs the day-to-day operations of the company.
Look out for next month’s instalment, when we’ll introduce you to the members of another regional committee.