As South Africa observes Disability Rights Awareness Month from 3 November to 3 December, culminating in the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December, the South African Motor Body Repairers Association (SAMBRA), a proud association of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), is highlighting a partnership that exemplifies inclusion, empowerment, and the nurturing of talent within the automotive repair sector.
A visit that sparks collaboration
In July, SAMBRA’s Abie Kriek visited the Baysville School of Skills in East London, a visit described by Juan Hanekom, SAMBRA’s national director, as part of “ongoing efforts to explore opportunities for collaboration, mentorship, and future employment pathways for learners with disabilities who show outstanding talent in the motor body repair trades.”
Baysville has long been a beacon for learners who flourish in skills-based training, particularly in panel beating and spray painting. The school’s practical approach has produced workshops regarded among the best in the province, where learners work on real customer vehicles and deliver professional-grade results. Impressively, 95% of panel beating graduates secure employment, and the school boasts the Eastern Cape’s only school-level spray painting facility—positioning Baysville as a vital talent pipeline for the industry.
Looking ahead: a skills showcase in 2026
Hanekom reveals that SAMBRA is exploring the possibility of launching a dedicated motor body repair competition at Baysville in 2026. “This event would run parallel to the mechanical-focused activities at Port Rex Technical High School, which currently hosts the MIWA Motor Mech Competition annually. It will reinforce the message that skilled artisans are in high demand, and that young people, including differently-abled learners, have meaningful, sustainable career prospects within the automotive repair sector.”
Learners proving that ability leads the way
During Disability Rights Awareness Month, SAMBRA shares reflections from Baysville learners and educators shaping the industry’s future. Many students, including hearing-impaired learners, describe their journey as transformative—not just in skills, but in confidence, dignity, and belief in their potential.
“I have always been interested in how damaged cars are transformed,” shared one learner. “Seeing a car arrive broken and leave looking new—knowing I helped do that—makes me proud. Even though communication was challenging at first, the support I received helped me prove to myself and my family that I can achieve something meaningful.”
For many, completing artisan training marks the start of a future filled with possibilities, from joining professional workshops to eventually running their own businesses and inspiring other hearing-impaired youth.
Educators champion inclusion
Teachers at Baysville describe including hearing-impaired learners in the programme as an intentional commitment to inclusivity. “We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to develop their talents,” they explain. By adapting teaching to include visual communication and hands-on demonstrations, learners are able to fully participate and excel, challenging outdated perceptions of what differently-abled students can achieve in technical trades.
A culture of upliftment, resilience, and employment
Baysville leadership celebrates the achievements of their learners as proof that ability matters more than disability. They stress the importance of partnerships with industry bodies like SAMBRA in bridging the gap between training and employment, calling for more inclusive internships, learnerships, and mentorship opportunities to ensure differently-abled youth can thrive in the automotive sector.
SAMBRA’s ongoing commitment
SAMBRA remains committed to supporting Baysville through:
- Training resources
- Mentorship pathways within accredited SAMBRA repairers
- Facilitating partnerships with industry suppliers
In November, SAMBRA facilitated a visit by APEX Auto Paint Centre to explore support for the school’s two workshops. Interest from paint manufacturers like APEX, and potential backing from Gondolier, could alleviate financial pressures and strengthen the school’s training capacity.
As Disability Rights Awareness Month draws to a close, SAMBRA celebrates Baysville’s learners, educators, and the shared values that unite the organisations. The partnership demonstrates what is possible when industry leans in, nurtures potential, and helps create a more inclusive and sustainable future for South Africa’s motor body repair sector.
