17/06/2026
The Motor Mech Show at Port Rex Technical High School in East London was a powerful start to the 2026 season, bringing learners, educators, industry partners and the wider East London community together in support of young technical talent.
An event like this takes planning, school commitment, industry support, sponsorship, judging expertise and a shared belief that young people deserve opportunities to be encouraged and developed.
Reflecting on the heart behind the event, Teresa Spenser Higgs, NEC member, Retail Motor Industry Organisation - RMI Board member and Chairperson of RMI Eastern Cape, said:
“There are times as event organisers when we ask whether all the effort is worth it. Then a student or past participant comes up to thank us for the difference the competition has made in their lives. Those moments remind us why we do this and motivate us to continue making a difference, one student at a time.”
A sincere thank you to Port Rex Technical High School for once again hosting the event and creating a space where learners could test their skills, build confidence and represent their school with pride. Hosting a competition of this nature takes enormous effort, and the commitment from the school, its technical department and its learners was clear throughout the day.
Special acknowledgement goes to Peter van Mosseveld, Retail Motor Industry Organisation - RMI Regional Manager and Consumer Affairs Specialist for the Eastern Cape, whose dedication, energy and commitment were instrumental in bringing this year’s event to life. His fresh approach to the NADA section of the competition contributed significantly to its success, and his passion for the industry and the region continues to help grow initiatives like Motor Mech.
Thank you also to Abie Kriek, SAMBRA Regional Representative, for the successful launch of a new MBR competition at Baysville Technical School, focusing on spray-painting and body-building. This momentum reflects the broader commitment across RMI associations to developing young talent and expanding practical opportunities within the automotive sector.
A big thank you to the judges, who gave their time, knowledge and guidance to assess the learners fairly and professionally. Your role is vital in helping learners understand the standards, focus and discipline required in the industry.
And finally, thank you to the sponsors who each sponsored one of the five competition sections: Auto X, Midas Bowls Road, Goldwagen, ATE and NGK
Thank you to every organiser, exhibitor, teacher, parent, sponsor and industry partner who contributed to the success of the day.
Motor Mech is strongest when schools, industry and communities work together — and East London showed exactly what that collaboration can achieve.