Hyundai Automotive South Africa took practical empowerment to the classroom not through speeches, but through spanners, diagnostics tools and hands-on learning.
At Kloof High School in Durban, the company’s experienced and qualified mechanics hosted a Young Girls Automotive Skills Workshop where Grade 12 girl learners did not just hear about industry opportunities instead, they changed tyres, explored vehicle diagnostics and unpacked modern vehicle electronics.
Mark Torrance, Regional General Manager: KwaZulu-Natal at Hyundai Automotive South Africa emphasized the initiative aims to empower and affirm competence among young girls at school level.
“By sharing practical automotive knowledge and basic vehicle skills with young learners early on, we are helping them build confidence and understanding,” stated Torrance. “When they become active mobility consumers one day, they will be better equipped to understand their vehicles, make informed decisions and prioritise their safety on the road.”
Suzanne van Der Merwe, Regional Fleet Manager: KwaZulu-Natal at Hyundai Automotive South Africa, reinforced the importance of early exposure to technical knowledge. “Equipping young girls with essential vehicle knowledge at school level lays a strong foundation for the future. This knowledge contributes to ensuring they are more informed and safe future drivers.”
Rob Holding, Principal of Kloof High School welcomed the initiative and expressed how Hyundai Automotive South Africa’s partnership with Kloof High has had a profound impact on the school.
“Our girls learnt about tyre changing, oil and water checking, how to interpret warning lights and technological functions. This was a hugely successful, invaluable exercise and we express our deep appreciation to Hyundai for such a program.”
This workshop marks the first of many. Hyundai Automotive South Africa will be rolling out similar initiatives, particularly in rural communities as part of its ongoing youth skills development.
Charging time remains a worry for many South Africans considering an electric vehicle, who still see it as a disruption rather than a quick stop at a filling station. That view is starting to shift.
The winners of the 2026 Automotive Business Council | naamsa Accelerator Awards were announced at the recently held Auto Week 2026, which took place in eThekwini, KZN.
When Cobus Coetzee (photo) accepted the opportunity to join the Morgan Group in Upington, he had to weigh up more than a new position. The move meant exchanging the West Coast’s cooler climate and seaside lifestyle for the Northern Cape’s desert heat, while taking responsibility for a multi-franchise operation spread across several premises.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Cars are the ultimate symbol of freedom, independence and individualism. They offer the freedom to ‘go anywhere,’ whenever it suits and with whom one chooses.
Sarah Redshaw
The winners of the 2026 Automotive Business Council | naamsa Accelerator Awards were announced at the recently held Auto Week 2026, which took place in eThekwini, KZN.
With the steep rise in fuel prices since March this year leading to historic record highs following massive increases in October, the government intervention annouched this week, is widely welcomed.
Omoda has confirmed that the new C4 will become the first model from the Chery Group to be built in South Africa, with production set to take place at the company's Rosslyn manufacturing facility in Gauteng.
