Motor Mech Show East London

26/03/2026

26/03/2026

27/06/2025

27/06/2025

A GIFT OF OPPORTUNITY | What does the future of our industry look like when leadership, partnership, and purpose come together?

At the MIWA Motor Mech Show last weekend, we proudly launched Project Dineo — a bold, long-term investment in South Africa’s youth and in the future of skilled work.

Led by the Retail Motor Industry Organisation - RMI, in partnership with the merSETA Social, Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator, and the Presidency, Project Dineo is designed to support 100 young South Africans per year over the next three years — prioritising women, youth with disabilities, and young people from disadvantaged communities.

“We didn’t want a campaign. We wanted an engine of change,” said Ipeleng Mabusela, RMI Chief Executive Officer – Strategy & Corporate Support. “Project Dineo is about building an inclusive, sustainable workforce — one that reflects the real South Africa and gives young people the chance to thrive through skilled careers.”

What makes Project Dineo really stand out?
• Aligned with accredited TVET programmes.
• Backed by RMI member employers offering real mentorship.
• Built on structured Work Integrated Learning (WIL) that leads to trade certification and long-term employment.
• Designed to scale across regions and associations, ensuring national impact.

🎓 At the launch, 11 technical study grant were awarded to learners — including MIWA brand ambassador Tjaart van der Walt, a previous competition winner. These recipients will receive training at top public TVET colleges and accredited providers, plus WIL placements with RMI workshops.

“This is not just a once-off,” said Peter van Mosseveld, RMI Eastern Cape Regional Manager. “Project Dineo is a game-changer. It opens real doors for young people who might otherwise be left behind.”

The name Dineo means “gift” in Sotho — and this project truly is a gift:
• To our youth: A chance to build a skilled, meaningful career
• To our sector: A sustainable pipeline of artisans and entrepreneurs
• To our nation: A strategy for inclusive growth and employment

“We are honoured to support these young people,” said Ipeleng Mabusela, RMI Chief Executive Officer: Strategy & Corporate Support. “With over 890 RMI member businesses in the Eastern Cape alone, many of them small but high-impact employers, we’re perfectly placed to lead the charge.”

The RMI thanks its partners, educators, and employers for making this possible. Together, we’re not just launching a programme. We’re building a future.

Contact Dineo on (011) 886 6300 or email [email protected]
For more info on Project Dineo, click here:https://training.rmi.org.za/

Photo caption: Ipeleng Mabusela, RMI Chief Executive Officer: Strategy and Corporate Support, On the Couch session at Project Dineo launch.

24/06/2025

What a day in East London! ✨ The fourth annual MIWA Motor Mech Show, hosted at Port Rex Technical High School, brought together learners, employers, families, and educators in a vibrant celebration of youth, skills, and South Africa’s future artisans.

The heart of the event? The 𝗠𝗜𝗪𝗔 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 — a high-pressure showdown where learners tackled both theory and hands-on mechanical challenges. It was an exciting, closely fought contest that highlighted the school’s exceptional calibre of young learners. And they delivered.

🏆 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀:
🥇 Andries van der Walt
🥈 Ruben Barkhuizen
🥉 Boaz Wild
👏 Simangile Mohoyana – Highest scoring female competitor

All proudly representing Port Rex — and all supported by none other than Tjaart van der Walt, MIWA brand ambassador and twin brother to this year’s champ. Tjaart won Kariega’s Motor Mech in 2024 and placed second in East London that same year.

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀, Andries walked away with a toolbox from Idemitsu South Africa as did the highest-scoring young lady of the day, Simangile. Ruben and Boaz were also given a toolbox each courtesy of the Motor Industry Staff Association (MISA). Every participant received goodie bags from Motor Industry Staff Association (MISA) and Moto Health Care — plus something far more lasting: belief in their own potential.

💬 “This event continues to grow from strength to strength,” said Teresa Spenser-Higgs, MIWA NEC, Retail Motor Industry Organisation - RMI board member, and chairperson of RMI Eastern Cape. “It’s the perfect mix of entertainment and education — showcasing real opportunities and drawing young talent into our workshops.”

With bridge-building challenges, interschool sports, industry exhibits, and family fun, MIWA Motor Mech isn’t just an event. It’s a launchpad.

Drop your favourite moment from the day in the comments!
📸 And don’t forget to tag us in your pics:

Photo caption: (From left) Ruben Barkhuizen, who placed second; Tjaart van der Walt, MIWA brand ambassador; Andries van der Walt, who took top honours; Jeandre Bronkhorst, representative of MISA; and far right, Boaz Wild, who finished a close third. All three winners proudly represented Port Rex.

23/06/2025

23/06/2025

𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 — 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗶𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻.
That’s where we launched Project Dineo — at the incredible Port Rex Technical High School, home to one of South Africa’s strongest technical education programmes and long-time host of the MIWA Motor Mech Show East London.

But we didn’t choose East London just for tradition. We chose it because:
✅ The Eastern Cape has real talent. Young people with potential, passion, and drive.
✅ The need is urgent. High youth unemployment and limited access to training still hold too many back.
✅ The opportunity is growing. East London is part of a major industrial zone (ELIDZ), where skilled artisans are in high demand.

That’s where 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗗𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗼 comes in.

Over the next 𝟯 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀, 𝟯𝟬𝟬 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 — especially women, youth with disabilities, and people of colour — will get the training, mentorship, and workplace exposure they need to build real careers in:
• Motor Mechanics
• Spray Painting
• Panel Beating
• Diesel Mechanics — and more

“Port Rex is more than a school — it’s a launchpad. For careers, for skills, and for changing the trajectory of entire communities.” – Ipeleng Mabusela, RMI Chief Executive Officer – Strategy & Corporate Support

And this is only the beginning. Port Rex is the first of five MIWA Motor Mech Shows taking place nationally in 2025 — and each one will bring Retail Motor Industry Organisation - RMI's Project Dineo’s message of empowerment to a new region, building skills and igniting opportunities where it’s needed most.

📣 Know a learner, a teacher, or a parent in the Eastern Cape who needs to hear this? Tag them. Share this post. Help spread the word.

21/06/2025

𝗥𝗠𝗜'𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗗𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗼 𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲!
Launched today at the MIWA Motor Mech Show East London at Port Rex Technical High School, this national programme is opening the door to real careers in the motor industry for young South Africans.

Over the next 3 years, 300 talented learners will be supported into artisan careers — especially youth who are often left behind, including women, persons with disabilities, and young people of colour.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲. 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁:
✅ Identifies high-potential learners
✅ Provides accredited training at public TVET colleges
✅ Offers real work experience with Retail Motor Industry Organisation - RMI-accredited employers
✅ Leads to trade certification and full-time employment

🎓 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲:
• Motor Mechanics
• Spray Painting
• Panel Beating
• Diesel Mechanics — and more

“Dineo means ‘gift’ — and that’s exactly what this programme is: a gift of opportunity to our youth, our industry, and our country.” – Ipeleng Mabusela, Retail Motor Industry Organisation - RMI's Chief Executive Officer – Strategy & Corporate Support

Know someone finishing school this year who dreams of working with cars or their hands? Follow us to stay updated — and help them take their first step.

Photo caption: (from left) Sabelo Buthelezi, Chief Director of the Department Higher Education and Training (DHET); Teresa Spencer-Higgs, MIWA NEC Board member and Chairperson of the RMI Eastern Cape; Ipeleng Mabusela, RMI Chief Executive Officer – Strategy & Corporate Support; Dineo Mosia, RMI Transformation Intern; Naphtaly Mokgotsane, Acting merSETA CEO; Kim Smallie, Mercedes Benz Training Academy; and Sue Hagemann, Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator - Client Services Manager.

21/06/2025

☀️ Fuelled by flavour and sunshine! From hungry learners to happy stakeholders, everyone’s enjoying a well-earned break and some great food at the MIWA MIWA Motor Mech Show – East London here at Port Rex Technical High School. Whether it’s a quick bite between exhibits or a relaxed moment in the sun, today’s event has something for every appetite — including connection, conversation, and community.

21/06/2025

🛠 Still going strong! Our MIWA Junior Motor Mech competitors are deep in the zone — diagnosing faults, solving problems, and showing just how much skill and stamina it takes to thrive in this industry.

This isn’t just a competition. It’s preparation for the road ahead. And these young artisans are proving they’ve got what it takes.