By Sitha Maliwa:
In the heart of Rivonia, Sandton, where luxury cars purr through the streets, a 20-year-old woman is rewriting the rules of the game – one wrench turn at a time.
When Reneilwe Masoga first walked into MEC Autoworks, she wasn’t hired to fix cars. She was the voice at reception, answering phones and booking appointments. But her sharp mind and quiet determination didn’t go unnoticed. Her boss, Nico Lagidze, saw what others might have overlooked: potential. And that spark was all Reneilwe needed to ignite a fire.
“When my boss saw something in me, it motivated me. I started proving to him that I could do better,” she revealed.
The shift from receptionist to junior mechanic wasn’t just a job change – it was a transformation. With every bolt tightened and every engine diagnosed, Reneilwe fell deeper in love with the craft. Her hands learned the language of metal and oil; the rhythm of engines became her heartbeat.
“My colleagues helped me to learn how to fix cars, and I was so patient with cars that it became simpler for me to learn,” she recalled.
But working in a male-dominated industry isn’t for the faint-hearted. The raised eyebrows, the double-takes, the subtle disbelief – they all came with the territory. Reneilwe never flinched.
“I prove myself with my work. Yes, it might be difficult, but I’m passionate about cars, and I can overcome any kind of difficulty,” she said, her voice steady, her resolve unshakable.
To her, grease-stained hands are a badge of honour. “Pretty hands won’t get your bills paid,” she quipped, wiping her palms on her overalls. “My appearance doesn’t have to define what I’m passionate about.”
Her journey isn’t just about earning a living – it’s about blazing a trail. She provides for her family and inspires young women to step boldly into spaces the world says they don’t belong.
From the hum of the reception desk to the roar of engines, Reneilwe’s story is a testament to resilience. She has proven that the grease on her hands is not dirt – it’s the mark of a dreamer who dared to defy expectations, and in doing so, has become a mechanic of not just cars, but of her own destiny. – @NewsSA_Online
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