Entrepreneurship & Innovation
A mechanic since the age of nine
Glody Bantu Bidwaya has worked on cars alongside a self-employed father for 10 years, and is finishing high school with the goal of starting a business.
Glody Bantu Bidwaya started working as a mechanic at 9 years old, alongside his dad. That was 10 years ago.
"I've enjoyed working with cars now for quite some time and have gained a considerable amount of experience," he says.
“SUCCESS IS NOT GIVEN, IT'S OBTAINED BY THE EFFORTS OF YOUR WORKS.”
Glody Bantu Bidwaya
The work continues. Glody is in his final year of high school, at Bellville Technical High School, and still works with his dad to this day. His father is self employed and, as he puts it, "trying to hold on."
The years in the workshop have been tested outside it. "I've competed at national level for awards in the automotive industry and won," he says.
He recently did a job shadowing at Riaans Auto, a workshop he describes as well known, which he says was a good way to gain professional workshop experience. At school he leads the mechanical engineering automotive subject leaderboard, and says his most recent report mark was 100 percent. "I'm aiming to end it strong," he says.
The final school year is also when Glody is looking to kick-start a career project. "my goal is to start a business," he says. The plan after school is to go to university or get employed at an oil rig.