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Seventeen-year-old Xander Booysen has scooped top place in the inaugural Motor Mech Show in Worcester which took place at HTS Drostdy this past weekend. Second and third place were given to fellow grade 12 students, Peter Viljoen (2nd) and Carsen Cato (3rd).
The show, which was organised by the Motor Industry Workshop Association, a constituent Association of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation, was a resounding success with healthy competition and huge support from the trade for both the Junior Motor Mech Competition and the Women’s Workshop which was held in the morning.
With the industry facing such a skills shortage its important to appreciate that the future mechanics and motor industry employees are still at school and competitions like MIWA’s Motor Mech are important, not only to highlight the enormous depth of young talent we have in South Africa, but also to showcase the industry to the schools.
Deon Goch, MIWA Vice Chairman, and one of the competition judges, said aligning the needs of industry with academic curricula, both at school and tertiary level, is key to ensure there is alignment. This will ensure that the level of skills is commensurate with industry expectations once the scholars are ready to start their apprenticeships.”
HTS Drosdty Principal, Louis Steijn, concurs saying the competition demonstrated to learners the specific skills which need to be honed and the interface with industry professionals was highly beneficial. Teacher Johan Havenga agrees saying, “We are so proud of the achievements of all our students and the fact that two girls participated and performed so well is especially noteworthy as it highlights the diverse talent and dedication within the student body.
”At a technical school such as THS Drostdy, the presence of well-equipped workshops where students can apply their knowledge and hone their skills on a daily basis is vital. We have the advantage that the WCED supports our workshops in total. These workshops provide a real-world environment where students can gain practical experience and learn through hands-on activities which they now had the opportunity to put to the test,” says Havenga.
The winners all walked away with a wealth of prizes. Gold sponsors included Idemitsu, who donated a mobile tool’s trolley for the top place and a toolbox for each of the second and third places, valued at close to R20 000,00; Autozone (more than R40 000 worth of prizes), TIH Advisory and MasterDrive.
Commenting on his win, Booysen says he could not be happier and more excited about his future. As a young man shortly to be entering the industry he is willing to start from the bottom and work his way up. “My love and passion for cars started when I was just four years old watching my dad racing and working on race cars. ‘The rest is history and cars remain my number one passion,” he says.
Booysen’s passion has certainly attributed to his success. In 2022, while still in Grade 10 he competed against older boys in the WCED Provincial Technical Schools competition in Bellville and there too managed to scoop first place. The following year he was placed second.
He is looking forward to starting his apprenticeship journey next year and once qualified, is passionate about promoting the industry to other youth. His advice to other young people is to always believe in yourself and not to let anything stop you doing what you are passionate about. He also looks forward to seeing an industry where there are more female mechanics.
For 17-year-olds Carsen Cato and Peter Viljoen, this was the first time the boys had competed in this type of competition environment and they both loved the challenge and adrenalin of the competition, sharing the same fears of not finishing within such a tight timeframe.
Peter, who comes from a farm outside Riversonderend, says his passion started with his grandfather and the Tractor Show he held every year.
“He used to restore old John Deere engines so my dream when I finish is to become a diesel mechanic and study something in Agriculture so I can return to my family farm one day and work alongside my dad.”
Carsen’s passion and love for cars and the automotive world came from his father, Clive Cato.
“He got me interested in engines at SP Motor Engineering, where I work at the moment during the holidays. Each time I work there I learn more and more about engines, especially the big diesel engines and trucks that I love so much.”
Certainly there was no shortage of talent at the show and it was great to see two girls participating. Anishia Stewe and Sunita Van Rensburg gave the boys a good run for their money and walked away with some impressive prizes too. Anishia says although it is sometimes intimidating competing with the boys she believes in always aiming for the stars and her dream one day is to study mechanical engineering. Sunita shares that same confidence and believes the industry is changing fast.
“It’s people that care, businesses that realise that our trades are important and technical schools like HTS Drostdy, that will ensure we keep our younger generation interested in what keeps the wheels in South Africa turning,” says Henry Kennedy, TEPA Regional Chairman Western Cape who was integrally involved in the organisation with MIWA.
MIWA Associational Representative for the Western Cape, Brione Schoeman, who leads the project says the vision of MIWA and the RMI is to do everything in our power to grow the interest in our trade, to address the skills shortage and in such a way keep the trade alive. We are delighted that this first event was such a success and all monies from the visitors will be able to go back to the school. We extend our sincerest congratulations to everyone who made this event such an incredible success.”
Motor Technicians of the future:
Name: Xander Booysen
Age: 17
Achievements: Winner WCED Skills Competition 2022
2nd place WCED Skills Competition 2023
Winner Motor Mech Worcester 2024
Dream: Sharing his passion about engines and cars with other young people
Name: Peter Viljoen
Born: Riversonderend on a farm
Age: 16 in Grade 11
Passion: Working on tractor engines
Dream: To study to become a diesel mechanic or something in agriculture so I can return to my family farm and work alongside my dad
Name: Carsen Cato
Born: Wellington
Age: 17
Achievements: Winner WCED Skills Competition 2023
2nd Place Motor Mech Worcester
Dream: I have a love and passion for engines and the automotive world. I want to work at SP Motor Engineering after school as an apprentice so I can become a qualified automotive mechanic.
Name: Sunita Van Rensburg
Age: 18
Achievements: Participated in Motor Mech Worcester
Dream: This is not a man’s world anymore and I would like to further in the motor trade, either in mechanical or motor designs
Name: Anishia Stewe
Dream: To study mechanical engineering and get more involved in sensors
Advice for young girls: This is such an enticing field with endless opportunities. My advice to young girls who have the desire to pursue a career in this field is to never underestimate yourself and always strive to be the best version of yourself. The industry is changing and women can make a great contribution
