Seconds separated the best – Kariega’s young mechanics put their skills to the test

Seconds separated the best – Kariega’s young mechanics put their skills to the test

What happens when you put some of the Eastern Cape’s most talented young automotive students head-to-head?

A competition where seconds can make the difference between first and second place.

That was the story at this year’s Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA) Junior Motor Mech Competition, held at the RMI Motor Mech & Alles-op-Wiele Show at Daniel Pienaar Technical High School in Kariega on Saturday, 29 August.

Three technical schools – Daniel Pienaar, Otter du Plessis and Newton Technical High School – went head-to-head in a demanding competition designed to test practical ability, technical knowledge, problem-solving and precision.

And the standard was higher than ever.

The final brought together six challenging stages, including a new electrical station designed to test the competitors’ diagnostic and technical skills. Students from Otter du Plessis and Daniel Pienaar made it through to the final, withthe competition so closely fought that only seconds separated the contestants.

But in the end, it was Juan de Kock from Otter du Plessis who emerged victorious in first place, followed by Hanro Beytel in second and Mandre Maritz in third, both from Daniel Pienaar Technical High School.

Lance Kettles, MIWA Association Representative and one of the judges alongside MIWA’s Jack Finn from Finn Auto, says the level of competence demonstrated by the competitors was particularly encouraging.

“The level of competence and knowledge was much higher than in previous years. All the competitors were very competent, strong and hungry to win. The competition was extremely tight, with just seconds separating the contestants.”

He also paid tribute to the teachers who are helping to raise the standard of technical education.

“A big thank you must go to the teachers for all the hard work they are putting into developing these young people. Without that commitment, we would not be seeing this level of knowledge and skill.”

For Kola du Toit, Principal of Daniel Pienaar Technical High School, competitions such as the MIWA Junior Motor Mech Competition provide learners with an opportunity to take their skills beyond the school workshop and experience what itmeans to be assessed against real industry expectations.

“Competing in front of public spectators and industry judges takes our learners beyond the familiarity of the school workshop and transforms their technical skills into a genuine point of pride. Testing their abilities against peers fromother schools under real-time pressure builds immense confidence. Being evaluated against industry standards validates their work readiness, while interacting directly with automotive professionals gives them a tangible look at the world of work.”

She says this exposure can have a lasting impact on learners considering technical careers.

“This combination of public recognition and professional exposure inspires a serious, lasting commitment to pursuing careers in the automotive sector.”

For RMI Eastern Cape Regional Manager Peter van Mosseveld, the competition is part of a much bigger picture.

“Our fourth RMI Motor Mech Show at Daniel Pienaar was a phenomenal success, with a spray-painting competition at Bergsig Special School, a welding competition at the Motor Mech Show and the MIWA Junior Motor Mech Competition. I would liketo thank Jack Finn, Lance Kettles, Abie Kriek and all the sponsors for their contributions and assistance in making these competitions such a success and expanding the work we do into different disciplines.”

Du Toit says the importance of industry involvement is particularly significant in the Eastern Cape, where financial constraints can limit the resources available to technical schools.

“Support from organisations like MIWA is invaluable. Teachers are managing curriculum, administration and extracurricular activities, so they simply do not have the bandwidth to constantly seek out corporate sponsors. It is incredibly powerfulwhen industry takes the initiative to reach out to our schools.”

She says the involvement of people working in the industry can make technical careers feel real and achievable to learners.

“While our teachers provide exceptional instruction, children are naturally inspired when industry experts – men and women actively working in the trade – enter their world. It transforms their training into a tangible career path. Hands-onaccess to modern equipment bridges the gap to workplace reality, and by reaching into technical schools, sponsors are not just donating; they are investing directly in their own future industry pipeline.”

And there was an especially practical reward waiting for this year’s winner.

Finn Auto Repairs and Diagnostics sponsored a toolbox valued at R15,000 for Juan, giving him something that every aspiring artisan will eventually need – his own professional tools.

Jack Finn says the prize was deliberately chosen to support Juan beyond the competition.

“An artisan needs his own tools to work in the industry, and we hope that the toolbox will help Juan as he starts his studies and career in the motor industry. Even while he studies, he will be required to work in a workshop for practicalexperience, and he can be proud to have his own tools that he earned.”

Finn says competitions such as the Motor Mech event also play an important role in reminding young people that there are rewarding technical careers available in the automotive industry.

“There is currently a shortage of mechanics in our country, so we started the Motor Mech Show in 2019 to expose schoolchildren to the motor industry and show them that this industry is very much alive.”

The competition also brought a special full-circle moment for the learners, with last year’s winner, Tashne Wait, returning to the event as a brand ambassador. Having made history as the first female winner of the Junior Motor Mech Competition,Tashne was on hand to encourage this year’s competitors and show the young learners what can be achieved through determination, technical skill and a passion for the automotive industry.

MIWA congratulates Juan, Hanro and Mandre, as well as every learner who took part.

A special thank you goes to the teachers, judges and sponsors whose support continues to give young people the opportunity to put their technical skills to the test and see where those skills can take them.

Many of the sponsors also took part in the competition, playing a highly proactive, hands-on role.

Thanks to:

Three schools. Six challenging stages. One very close final. And, with last year’s winner returning to inspire the next generation, a powerful reminder of where these skills can take young people in the automotive industry.