For most parents, watching their child choose a career path is a proud moment. For Zimkhita Dlakiya, that journey has taken on an even more remarkable dimension - she is not only watching her son enter the automotive industry, she is walking the same path alongside him.
At the recent Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA) SpannerTorque Festival in East London, Zimkhita and her son Alulutho Dlakiya stood out as an inspiring example of how opportunity, determination and family support can shape the future of the industry.
Zimkhita, a mother of two who joined her company in 2015, has steadily built her career while continuing to pursue her education. She is currently studying towards a BTech in Mechanical Engineering through Walter Sisulu University, while also completing her trade through the Mercedes Benz Learning Academy (MBLA).
Her fascination with innovation and problem-solving has guided much of her journey. After gaining experience across several departments, she discovered her passion while working in Quality within the automotive environment.
“That is where I became deeply involved in problem-solving and exploring different technologies,” she explains. “It helped me realise how exciting and dynamic this industry really is.”
What she never expected, however, was that her son would one day join her in the same field.
“Working and studying alongside my son has been a very interesting journey - something I never imagined would happen,” she says. “I always thought he would follow a different path and go straight to university.”
But the experience has shown her something valuable about career pathways.
““Although I completed my diploma and am now studying towards my BTech, I also did voluntary training during my studies, which gave me practical experience in the field. Now that I am completing my trade, I realise there are many different paths to success.”
For Alulutho, the journey began long before the SpannerTorque Festival. Born in the rural village of Cofimvaba, his interest in motor mechanics developed during his time at Port Rex Technical High School, where hands-on practical work sparked his passion for the trade.
“I was not always the strongest in theory,” he admits, “but I enjoyed the practical work so much that I worked hard to keep up.”
Today he is part of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation’s (RMI) Project Dineo initiative, a programme designed to create opportunities for young people entering the automotive sector.
“For me, being part of Project Dineo is an honour,” he says. “It has helped guide me on my career path and exposed me to people who could become mentors, partners or employers in the future.”
Studying in the same industry as his mother has made the experience even more meaningful.
“My mother has always spoken to me about technical work and how interesting it is,” he explains. “She was the one who sent me to a technical high school so that I could learn these skills.”
At the time, he did not realise that she was also building a career in the same field.
“Now, thanks to RMI and the companies involved in the project, I am studying the same trade as my mother. I believe she is secretly very proud that she sent me to that technical high school because it helped put me on the right path.”
Their shared journey has brought its own unique moments, including some typical mother-and-son dynamics.
“Sometimes I even have to buy lunch for him and his colleagues, but mostly we focus on our own responsibilities,” she says.
She does admit that the situation brings an added sense of responsibility.
“I know he looks up to me, so it makes me even more conscious about how I conduct myself at work and about protecting my dignity as both a professional and a mother.”
Despite the occasional light-hearted moments, the experience has deepened the respect they have for each other.
“It is not only my son learning from me,” she reflects. “I am also learning from him. He has a strong technical background and sometimes understands certain things even better than I do.”
Looking ahead, both mother and son share ambitious goals for their futures.
Alulutho hopes to broaden his skills by studying auto electrical systems, while gaining experience from different workplaces across the industry.
“I want to learn as much as possible from different people and environments,” he says. “Ultimately I would also like the opportunity to work overseas one day.”
Zimkhita’s vision is equally inspiring and deeply personal.
“One day I would love for us to run our own workshop together,” she says. “By then he will have the skills and qualifications to help build and manage our family business.”
For the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA), stories like this highlight the real impact of initiatives designed to build skills and open doors in the automotive sector.
According to Teresa Spenser-Higgs, RMI Chairperson for Eastern Cape region and MIWA Vice Chair for the Eastern Cape, the Dlakiya family story is a powerful example of what the industry can achieve when opportunity and determination meet.
“It reminds us that skills development is not only about training mechanics - it is about building futures,” she says. “When programmes create opportunities for both young people and experienced individuals to grow, the impact can extend across families and communities.”
She says the automotive sector needs more stories like this.
“Our industry is evolving rapidly and we need skilled, passionate people who are willing to learn and adapt. Seeing a mother and son qualifying side by side is incredibly inspiring and shows the depth of talent that exists in our country.”
For Zimkhita, the experience has also reinforced her gratitude for the opportunity her son has received. “Earlier this year I saw many stories about learners struggling to gain access to university,” she says. “It made me realise just how valuable opportunities like this are for young people.”
Her message to other parents is simple. “Allow your children to explore opportunities like these and support them in developing their skills. The automotive industry offers many different paths, and these experiences can open doors they may never have imagined.”
