As South Africa 
marks Transport Month, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges are helping to build the skilled workforce needed to keep the country's transport sector moving. From diesel mechanics to fitting and turning specialists, graduates are finding opportunities in industries that support transport, economic growth and infrastructure development.
Tinyiko Mashudu Malesa (33) of Phalaborwa in Limpopo is a diesel mechanic whose journey shows how young people can build successful careers when equipped with the right artisanal skills.
Her job involves repairing diesel engines and maintaining trucks, buses, small vehicles and trackless mobile machinery.
Trackless mobile machinery is used in the mining and construction sectors. They move on wheels, skids or mechanical shoes rather than rails.
“My everyday job includes doing major and minor services, diagnostics, suspension repairs and fuel system repairs,” she explained.
After matric, Malesa enrolled at Mopani TVET College for business studies. Her initial plan was to pursue a career in engineering, but she did not meet the minimum entry requirements.
Towards the completion of her in-service training, she came across a newspaper advertisement for three-year artisan apprenticeship offered through the Department of Higher Education and Training’s Centre of Specialisation Programme. Although the minimum requirement was Grade 9, she used her matric results to apply successfully for a diesel mechanic qualification.
“I started in 2019 at Mopani TVET College. I then completed my practical training at Great North Transport and passed my trade test in 2022,” she said.
The host company later offered her a six-month renewable contract. The opportunity changed her life and enabled her to become financially independent.
“Many young girls in my community are inspired by my journey of becoming an artisan,” she said.
When her contract was not renewed, she partnered with her mentor to establish EM Auto Workshop, which has since employed two assistants.
Malesa said her NSFAS-funded business studies qualification, completed in 2016, together with her artisan training, helped her become a successful entrepreneur.
She believes there are many opportunities for young people in transport, logistics and mining.
Fitting and turning a passion into a career
Another TVET graduate making his mark is Rembuluwani Nethenzheli (30) from Mbahe village in Venda, Limpopo.
After matriculating from Thohoyandou Technical High School, he obtained a Fitting and Turning qualification from Tshwane South TVET College in Pretoria.
“I wanted to become a diesel mechanic, but I did not qualify, so my second option was fitting and turning. I grew up helping my father and brother fix cars, so I was inspired to follow this dream from an early age,” he said.
Fitting and turning is a mechanical engineering trade that involves manufacturing, assembling, maintaining and repairing industrial machinery and metal components.
During his third trimester, Nethenzheli received a bursary from the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services SETA (MerSETA), which covered his tuition, accommodation and transport costs.
“This relieved my parents of the burden of paying for my education. It also helped me secure an apprenticeship after completing my practical training so that I could write my trade test and become a qualified artisan,” he said.
Today, he is employed by Lion Match (Pty) Ltd.
Government focuses on transport reform
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy said government is working to improve public transport, strengthen rail services and modernise the country's freight and logistics network.
Speaking at the launch of Transport Month, Creecy said the recovery of passenger rail services by the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) is helping to provide commuters with a more affordable transport option.
She added that government is working to better integrate rail, bus and minibus taxi services to improve affordability and safety for commuters. Reforms are also under way to support and formalise the taxi industry.
As transport infrastructure expands and modernises, skilled artisans and technicians will continue to play a critical role in maintaining vehicles, repairing equipment and supporting South Africa's transport network.
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