Dr Isaac Boshomane: An eff ective

In describing leadership, British-American author and motivational speaker Simon Sinek says a boss has the title, while a leader has the people – and that accurately describes what Dr Isaac Boshomane is to his community. The experienced and educated mechanic is a shining light in the township of Soshanguve through his establishment, Kgabo Cars Training Centre.

Founded in 2001, Kgabo Cars Training Centre is a two-part business. It is primarily a car service operation with branches in Soshanguve, Rosslyn and Boksburg, which repairs and services vehicles of all makes and models with modern equipment. Its secondary aspect is training and assisting apprentices to become fully qualified, skilled automotive technicians.

GETTING THE EDUCATION Boshomane is a qualified technician, trainer, instructor, assessor, moderator, mentor, coach, skills development facilitator (SDF), and parttime university of technology lecturer. He has

an NDip from Tshwane South TVET College, an ETDP certificate from RAU (now UJ), as well as bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees from Logos University (USA).

He worked at Cartoria Toyota as an apprentice then as an artisan, moved to Soshanguve Tech High School to teach, then lectured at Tshwane South TVET College before going to Mercedes-Benz to work as a passenger cars trainer, subsequently as a learnership and skills programmes coordinator.

He has been involved in Kgabo Cars on a full-time basis since January 2012 and shares his wealth of about 35 years’ automotive experience with staff members and students alike.

VOWING TO HELP OTHERS “Unbelievably, when I was young, I hated teaching yet rejoiced when helping others. I only found out later that it was not teaching itself, but the way it was presented to me that I hated. After seven years in the automotive industry, battling to develop as an artisan, I decided that no one in my surroundings should go through what I did to become a motor mechanic artisan. That is why I went to teach the youth at Soshanguve Technical High School before starting my own workshop and training centre,” the respected Boshomane tells Spot-On.

“Making a significant impact in a small way, with what we have and where we are, is our key differentiating factor to create and develop hope in our youth to take it upon themselves to become responsible and independent citizens.”

CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG WOMEN Boshomane took a conscious decision to assist young women who are among the last to receive opportunities in society.

“A woman, especially an African one, has been triple oppressed historically, yet they are the backbone of every successful family, business, community and country. They were previously not allowed to be educated, to work, to play any significant part in community matters yet they are the ones who, when given the opportunity, get things done professionally and have attention to detail. To date, their salary disparity is not making sense.

“They are the ones whose children sleep with full stomachs no matter what. Upskilling women reduces the chances of GBV because, if the relationship is toxic, they are financially able to move out alive without fearing a lack of source of income.”

To date, 141 motor mechanic artisans – of whom 42 are ladies – are qualified at a national and internationally recognised level from Kgabo Cars. “We are planning to have another graduation ceremony in November 2022 for about 61 graduates and expose what we do in the township for more support.”

Kgabo Cars has 11 full-time employees and is currently training 20 learners after qualifying 30 in March/April this year. The programme takes three years of practical application to gain the skills, experience and attributes to prepare them for the trade test.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE The business receives funding from the government, through the SETAs and National Skills Fund (NSF), but it’s only 57% of the total training cost. “It helps, however we remain with a serious deficit, which prevents us from breaking even, being self-sustainable and growing as a business. If we are not profitable, then entities like NEF and SEFA cannot assist us.”

According to Boshomane, the City of Tshwane is partnering with them by providing Kgabo Cars with another workshop to cater for more apprentices. “If a fleet can be availed as per the NDP and ERRP, it will assist us with revenue for sustainability and for apprentices to have more access to apply their TVET college theory within stipulated time frames.”

FUTURE ENDEAVOURS Boshomane is certain that Kgabo Cars’ model has proven to be one this country needs, looking at the paucity of skilled labour and the high rate of unemployment.

“The Competition Commission informed us, when they were going around the country to gather information from SMMEs for the Right to Repair guideline development, that we were the only entity developing apprentices in motor mechanics in any township or rural area. For that reason, the Competition Commission invited us to open one of their conferences and talk about Kgabo Cars offerings for 10 minutes, sharing how we overcame challenges in our space to produce the sought-after results in vocational and technical skills development,” says the businessman.

“Developing motor mechanic artisans is not easy even for OEM dealerships with the highlighted support system; however, as Kgabo Cars, we are already inviting private companies – especially those outside the automotive industry – for partnership to develop not only artisans but entrepreneurs, considering the effects of the pandemic, which destroyed and closed many businesses, as well as slowed the economy.”