Wondrous women of White River: Loretta Coetzee
Loretta is one of 10 women, as chosen by you, who prove that no job is too tough for them to handle.
Who says it is a man’s world out there? As part of Women’s Month, White River Post is featuring 10 women, as chosen by you, who prove that no job is too tough for them to handle.
Loretta Coetzee has been reconditioning tractors since 2013. Her brother passed away in the same year and shortly after that her father lost his job.
“They both were the main breadwinners for the family. We therefore had to secure an income. My father would receive tractors on consignment to recondition and after my day job I would work alongside my father and learn from him. My father fell ill with pancreatic cancer late 2013 and I had to take over most of the physical aspects. I quickly learnt the ins and outs of reconditioning a tractor engine, what the parts where called, what they did and where they went. We would recondition up to four tractors a month, from Fiats to Fords and Massey Fergusons. Besides the tractors, I would work a full day at a petrol station as the manager. I would manage the petrol station, convenience store, bottle store and butchery and oversee 13 employees,” said Loretta.
She is currently the owner of the petrol station where she had been employed for the past seven years.
“This year I have taken it upon myself, and fulfilled a promise to my father, to ensure that our family is taken care of. I have an assistant mechanic who continues the reconditioning of the tractors while I focus on the petrol station.
“When that tractor comes in on a low-bed, looking like a piece of scrap, most people would not recognise what it should be. Then after the restoration, hearing it start up and looking like a brand-new one, has to be the most exciting and proudest moment. When you work on a single body panel for a week, you learn to appreciate the outcome. Providing for my family has been my biggest contribution.
“It is a very physical job, most days you are covered in grease and oil from head to toe, and then paint the next, yet its nothing you can’t clean. It’s empowering to walk into a spares shop and the salesperson lights up when he sees you know what you talking about, but it doesn’t come without discrimination and judgement. I have been frowned upon, ignored and not taken seriously, but for the most part people are surprised when you tell them you overhaul tractors.
“The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it.
“Every journey begins with just a single step; most are filled with joy and the promise of a safe arrival.
“There are, however, times when taking the first step requires untold sacrifice.”
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