Sawubona! Hallo! Lotjhani! Molo! Sawubona! Dumela! Avuxeni! Ndaa!
We are pleased to introduce The Motor Spares Collective, a newly formed cooperative dedicated to empowering Township mechanics across South Africa. Our mission is to address key challenges faced by Township mechanics, including speedy access to quality spares and parts, tooling for their workshops, opportunities for skills development, support with trade registration, and micro-financing.
The Motor Spares Collective is prioritising on three (3) interventions:
1. An Auto spares shop where cooperative members will receive discounts on genuine car parts and spares, reducing their costs and thereby increasing their business profitability. As owners, the mechanics get to enjoy annual bonuses following each profitable year of operations.
2. Certain mechanics are looking for tooling for their workshops, the cooperative will help source the funding and the partnerships to deliver on this.
3. Trade registration and training for the member mechanics. At UBU Investment Holdings, we recognise the significant growth potential within the automotive aftermarket sector and the vital role that Township mechanics play.
The aftermarket —encompassing vehicle repair and maintenance service—is expanding rapidly, with Independent mechanics including those in townships serving as key contributors to this growth. Our objective is to unite these Township Mechanics, providing them with the tools and support needed to scale their businesses individually and via collective action while fostering deeper integration within the broader automotive value chain.
Township mechanics have historically been undervalued, despite their critical contributions to society, the automotive industry, and the broader industrial landscape of South Africa. Our vision is to bring these unsung heroes together, equip them with the resources to grow their businesses in line with their ambitions whilst meeting the evolving industry standards. By doing so, they can continue offering affordable services that ensure both vehicle roadworthiness and the safety of all South Africans.
The Competition Commission and the Right-to-Repair movement have recognised the importance of independent mechanics within the automotive sector. In December 2020, the Commission ruled that all South African mechanics, regardless of workshop size, certification, or location, must be allowed to repair and service vehicles without voiding warranties. This ruling ensures opens the auto servicing sector to fair competition and breaks the concentration of power and influence currently enjoyed by OEM aligned dealership; it effectively removes a very significant barrier to entry for Township mechanics in the lucrative auto-plan service market. UBU’s mission is to support the creation and emergence of resilient and sustainable communities.
We invite all Township Mechanics across the country—whether full-time or part-time—to join us in this journey of growth through cooperation and solidarity and connect the unconnected!
If you are a mechanic and want to know more, let us get in touch with you HERE: