Diepsloot woman drives her way into a male-dominated trade
At just 25, Thapelo Kobe refused to let stereotypes stand in the way of her passion for cars; now she’s proving that determination can smooth out even the toughest challenges.
At 25 years old, Diepsloot resident Thapelo Kobe is proving that passion, determination and perseverance can open doors in industries where women are still the exception rather than the norm.
Growing up in Extension 6, Kobe always felt drawn to activities traditionally associated with boys. Whether it was kicking a soccer ball, playing hockey or spending hours admiring cars, she never imagined that her childhood interests would one day become a career.
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Today, she is a qualified dent technician – a profession where women are rarely seen.
“I’ve always loved cars, even as a little girl. Growing up, I was the only girl at home, and I always spent my time with my dad surrounded by cars.”
Her journey, however, was far from easy.
In January last year, Kobe left her family in Diepsloot and travelled to Secunda, Mpumalanga, to complete a six-month dent-repair course at a well-known paintless dent-repair training centre.
Leaving home meant making difficult sacrifices, including leaving with her four-year-old daughter to a different province.
“It was one of the hardest decisions I had to make, but I knew I was doing it for our future. I had to secure a preschool and pay transport for her while trying to stay on my feet at work.”
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When she arrived at the training centre, she found herself surrounded by 10 men. She was the only woman in a class of 11 students.
“The guys were much faster than me, and I kept asking myself if I really belonged there. I thought maybe this wasn’t meant for me. I won’t lie, I had a lot of doubts.”
Instead of giving up, Kobe chose to keep practising. Month after month, her confidence grew alongside her skills. What once seemed impossible slowly became second nature.
Today, Kobe hopes her story will encourage other young women to step into careers often seen as ‘men’s work’.
She believes no dream should be limited by gender.
“If you love something, don’t let fear or stereotypes stop you. Work hard, be patient and trust yourself.”
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