Meet Nare the female panel beater
It is Monday morning, you are running late for work and to top it all, someone drives into your car
POLOKWANE – It is Monday morning, you are running late for work and to top it all, someone drives into your car.
The dent is not that bad and the receptionist at the auto-body shop says it will take about three days to fix and adds that a panel beater will come and speak to you about the work to be done.
The next moment a woman approaches you and starts discussing the damage. You think: “A woman panel beater?”
Nare Manake (25) is a panel beater at an auto-body shop who also just happens to be a woman.
“Since I was young I loved doing things with my hands. In school I took mathematics and science, and I use the knowledge every day. I completed Gr 12 in Burgwal, Matlala and then decided to come to Polokwane and study mechatronics at Capricorn College for Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET), where I completed level three.
“Since then cars have stolen my heart and I love absolutely everything about them.”
Nare says the men at the workshop sometimes treat her as if she’s a man, yet sometimes tell her she can’t do something because she’s a woman.
“In here, I must behave like a man. I do not feel like a girly-girl, doing my nails and putting on dresses when I’m at work. I leave that for weekends.”
She is married to Stanley, who is a salesman in the motor business, and they have two children, aged one and four years.
She says her husband supports her in her career. “He asked me if I felt I was up to it and when I said yes, he supported me fully. He understands when I get home tired.”
Nare says although she loves her work, she sometimes has to do things that are physically difficult, but then she can depend on her colleagues to help her.
“I am fortunate enough to be able to be one of the first women in this profession. I have not met or heard of any other women doing this. I can truly say I love what I do. Every day.”
