Since 2010, Dr. Isaac Boshomane and his business, Kgabo Cars, have trained 160 automotive mechanic candidates, all of whom have earned the Automotive Motor Mechanic Artisan National Certificate (the “National Certificate”), which is internationally compatible, from the Department of Higher Education and Training, Science & Technology of South Africa. Each candidate follows a rigorous 3-year course.
Of the 160 candidates trained to date, 48 were women.
Until Dr. Boshomane opened his Kgabo Cars training facility in Soshanguve Township just north of Pretoria, it was not possible
i) To find practical training in townships or rural areas;
ii) To find apprenticeship training except after graduating through the TVET government system and finding a job with an auto manufacturer or large dealer; or
iii) To earn the National Certificate without first qualifying through the TVET course system.
In 2021, Dr. Boshomane decided that all future candidates for this training would be taken from two groups. The first group was women, who are severely under-represented in the trades, which lead to better pay and better jobs. The second group were “academically challenged candidates”, meaning those that are not qualified for admission to the national TVET (Technical Vocational Education Training) college system in South Africa, which provides the theoretical but not the “hands-on” practical training required for an automotive motor mechanic.
On January 30, 2024, Martha Deacon had the opportunity to visit Kgabo Cars, Dr. Boshomone’s onsite training venue in Soshunguve Townships. By the way, he was granted an honorary doctorate in 2022 from the University of South Africa in recognition of the successful training programme he has developed for women and youth in township areas who would otherwise be shut out of this life-changing opportunity. He managed to become self-trained through determination and hard work, on the basis of a Grade 4 education. He knows how life-transforming this kind of training can be.
During that visit, Martha asked Dr. Boshomone what his first priority would be to improve the training he is currently offering. His answer: access to the Virtual Reality training system of NUDLE. Over the next few months, the parties worked together to make that a reality.
On August 13, 2024, the NUDLE system was fully installed and is now operational at Kgabo Cars in Soshunguve Township. It allows students access to a software system which mimics the experience of working on a real car engine. Each student learns at his/her own speed and each is required to master the first step before proceeding to the next step. It is a game-changer for this training academy, which is, in and of itself, unique in South Africa. NUDLE partnered with The Townships Project to provide this system to Kgabo Cars. Both sponsors are hopeful that it will be a game-changer for mechanics learning their trade in townships areas in South Africa.
