Young tradesman to compete internationally
Shivaya Balakisten will be competing in Leonsberg, Germany from October 10 to October 15.

Shivaya Balakisten (21) from Legit Engineering in Nigel will be competing internationally from October 10 to 15.
Balakisten will take part in the WorldSkills International competition in the CNC turning category in Leonsberg, Germany.
“I’m excited but very nervous,” Balakisten said.
“I’ve never been to another country before and I’m anxious, but I’m excited to see the different cultures and to meet new people from all over the world.”
Balakisten is the second person from Legit Engineering to compete at an international level.
His mentor, Jared Moonsamy, competed in Russia in 2019.
“We are all extremely proud of Shivaya,” Pierre Palm, owner of Legit Engineering and recognised international judge for WorldSkills, said.
“He has worked very hard and we are proud of how far he has come.”
Around 62 contestants from around the world will take part in the competition in Germany.
“I’m expecting the competition to be on a whole different level,” Balakisten said.
“I have been training hard and have taken rigorous pressure tests in preparation.

“I have done everything I could to prepare and have also been keeping a calm and positive mindset.”
Balakisten says that he hopes the competition will be fair and welcoming.
“I’m looking forward to the new environment,” he explained.
“I’m excited to gain experience from this international level and also to learn from the different countries and their ways of machining.”
When asked about his family and their support, Balakisten said that they haven’t stopped smiling.
“My parents have been so surprised. They couldn’t believe that I won the national competition and now get to compete internationally,” he said.
“My whole family has been very supportive, they just want me to do my best and have fun.”
Balakisten has also thanked everyone in the community that supported him, along with the various sponsors that have enabled him to compete internationally.

“So many people have shown me their support and for that I am thankful,” he said in conclusion.
“My sponsors, including Worldskills South Africa and the Department of Higher Education have made this all possible.”
Legit Engineering will live stream the competition on their Facebook page, Legit CNC Training Academy.