Diepsloot women break barriers in auto repairs and welding
Two local women are defying traditional gender roles as they forge successful paths in male-dominated trades.
Sparks are flying in Diepsloot, where local women are refusing to let old stereotypes decide what work they can do.
From repairing dents to welding steel, these women are turning tools into opportunities and proving that the workshop is no place for gender boundaries. Despite working in industries where women remain a minority, paintless dent removal technician Thapelo Kobe and aspiring welder and entrepreneur Nompe Radebe have refused to let stereotypes define their careers. Instead, they have chosen to let their work speak for itself.
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For Kobe, a qualified paintless dent removal technician, her passion for fixing cars began long before she entered a workshop. Growing up in Limpopo, now based in Diepsloot, she spent her childhood helping her father repair his old bakkie. “While other children were playing with dolls, I was handing my dad spanners. I loved figuring out why something was broken and how to fix it. I chose this career because I enjoy working with my hands and solving problems. Machines don’t care who is holding the wrench.”
Her first day in a workshop remains unforgettable. Surrounded by 11 men, she was the only woman present. “I was nervous but excited. The moment I put on my work suit, I knew I was exactly where I belonged. One of my proudest moments came when I successfully repaired dents on the bonnet and door of a 2006 Volkswagen Polo. My boss was so impressed that he bought me a Coke to celebrate my work.”
Although she admits some customers initially overlook her and ask to speak to a male technician, she remains professional. She is currently looking for employment at a dealership, workshop or fleet company where she can continue growing her skills.
Meanwhile, fellow Diepsloot resident and Sedibeng TVET College student Nompe Radebe, who is studying towards an NCV qualification at the Vanderbijlpark Campus, is making her mark in welding while pursuing her dream of becoming a successful entrepreneur. She has already registered her company, Moloantwa Projects and Services Pty Ltd, with plans to manufacture affordable, durable metal beds for students, hostels and families.
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Her journey into welding surprised many of those closest to her. “My family weren’t used to seeing girls wearing helmets, gloves and standing among sparks. They worried I would get burned or that I wasn’t strong enough. Now they are proud whenever they see me in full personal protective equipment.”
Like many beginners, she had a first day filled with mixed emotions. “I could see the doubt on people’s faces and hear the comments like, ‘Really, you’re doing this?’. I even started doubting myself, wondering whether I was going to do it right or burn myself, but the client trusted me, and that gave me the confidence to try. It was my first time welding, using a grinder and working with the tools, and I realised that being a girl doesn’t mean I can’t do it.”
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