Recognising female trailblazers in the motor repairs industry
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<p><strong>By: MiWay Insurance</strong></p>
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<p><em><strong>This Women’s Month, we celebrate and recognise the women who have the courage and tenacity to succeed in the male-dominated motor industry – not only those in the boardrooms, but also those on the workshop floors.</strong></em></p>
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<p>The motor industry has long been a male-dominated world, with women traditionally relegated to administrative roles, such as receptionists, personal assistants or bookkeepers. This division of labour entrenched the stereotype that motor mechanics, panel-beating, spray painting and other technical roles are reserved for men. However, just as women have broken into other industries, they are busy breaking into perhaps one of the toughest – the automotive industry. </p>
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<p>As a non-life insurer committed to transformation, inclusivity and diversity, MiWay is proud to be one of the companies that have made it possible for trailblazing women like Tselane Halata to occupy a technical and strategic position at the company. </p>
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<p>“After 17 years of specialising in motor claims and now as MiWay’s General Manager of Procurement and Motor Assessing, we need more companies in the industry to open doors for women intentionally,” she says. A self-starter, she attributes her success not only to ability and hard work, but a fierce determination to never to give up. </p>
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<p>These attributes are shared by two other women who have taken on and succeeded in the world of motor body repairs.</p>
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<p>Savanna Govindasamay, who started Springfield Panel and Paint in a 200m<sup>2</sup> rented facility, took only seven years to own her own 1000m<sup>2</sup> workshop. Together with her 18 employees (50% of whom are women and youth), she is a service provider to Hyundai, Renault, Chevrolet, Peugeot, Opel and Citroën. </p>
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<p>“I am very passionate about developing and mentoring women and young people in the community. We have successfully qualified female apprentices and were the first to qualify a female spray painter at the Trade Test Centre,” she says. </p>
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<p>Savanna admits that starting her business was not easy, especially in the beginning when she needed a loan to cover salaries. And when the banks turned her down, instead of giving up, she embarked on an aggressive marketing campaign targeting insurance companies and dealerships in the community. It took a lot of determination and positivity because they were not ready to trust a woman panel beater, but her quality, service delivery and turnaround times soon won them over. </p>
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<p>Savanna’s determination to succeed was matched by her drive to advancing other women in her community through her WomanOnFire Panel Beaters Co-op. The Co-op gives women an opportunity to market their businesses and build a network. Her advice to other women is: “Be your own strength and have the courage to take that leap.”</p>
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<p>Selinah Mtilene, the managing director of Diamond Panel Beaters, took over the running of her husband’s business when it started experiencing difficulties. What started as a towing business turned into a profitable panel-beating enterprise after she realised there was money to be made repairing the vehicles that were towed into her yard. She experienced the Catch-22 many small businesses experience: she did not have the capital to buy the right equipment that was required by both insurance companies and original equipment manufacturers, and being turned down by banks for finance. A rigorous savings plan allowed her to buy the equipment and prove herself both to the community and the industry. </p>
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<p>“It’s not easy and succeeding takes time,” she says. “All I can say is to push harder, believe in yourself and do not get distracted or demotivated – one day you will thank yourself for never giving up.”</p>
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<p>MiWay’s Halata concludes, “Women must be seen as more than equals. We are strategic partners when it comes to advancing the industry.” Even though she acknowledges that women have to work twice as hard for their voices to be heard, she is quick to caution that women must have the right qualifications and teachable attitude in order to succeed, “Your gender alone is not an automatic passport, you still need to put in the same effort as the opposite gender.”</p>
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<p>Diversity is the one thing we have in common and, at MiWay, we pride ourselves in being at the forefront of building an inclusive industry that will enable sustainable growth in South Africa. This has always been an important goal but, as our economy tries to reignite itself, it is now vital that we harness the entrepreneurial flair and smarts that women have to offer. </p>
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<p>MiWay is a licensed non-life insurer & FSP 33970. Ts & Cs apply.</p>
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