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Limpopo's own Henry Ford, Augustine Mabasa, has been given a chance to become a qualified motor mechanic.
The 29-year old from Siyandani village outside Giyani has been making his own cars from scrap metals since he was at school. Now he has been offered a two-year learnership by Nissan SA and is receiving intensive training at BD Motors in Tzaneen.
"When I started collecting scrap metals to make my first car, people laughed at me, saying that I had lost my mind,” Mabasa said.
Mabasa was in Grade 11 when he made an electric car, which won first prize in the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists.
It was later bought by a businessman for R10 000.
Augma - his generator powered car.
His second car, called the Augma, runs on a 10l petrol tank, is powered by a generator and has a top speed of 30km/h. It boasts a clutch, brake and accelerator pedals, four shock absorbers, an exhaust system, a hooter as well as four gears, including reverse.
Mabasa can even drive the vehicle at night because it has an effective lighting system, which is connected to an ordinary car battery. He believes that one day he will get a roadworthy certificate to use his car on public roads.
"It took me more than two years to make this car, but it is not yet finished. I still have to provide it with a handbrake, windows and a powerful music system," he said with a smile.
The rural carmaker passed matric in 2001, but he could not pursue his dream of becoming an engineer because of poverty at home. He is one of nine children and both his parents are unemployed.
"My short-term goal is to open a motor mechanic workshop in my village and create much-needed jobs," he said.
Daniel Makgoba, a trainer at Nissan SA in Pretoria, said Mabasa was one of about 30 students who had been enrolled at different dealerships across the country.
"They are learning to service, repair and overhaul the mechanical parts of a car. They will also attend classes and, upon completion of the two-year course, they will become qualified technicians and issued with relevant certificates," he said.
Mabasa entered the training programme last month and is expected to graduate in October 2011.
"I want to thank Nissan for recognising my talent and giving me this opportunity," he said.
The 29-year old from Siyandani village outside Giyani has been making his own cars from scrap metals since he was at school. Now he has been offered a two-year learnership by Nissan SA and is receiving intensive training at BD Motors in Tzaneen.
"When I started collecting scrap metals to make my first car, people laughed at me, saying that I had lost my mind,” Mabasa said.
Mabasa was in Grade 11 when he made an electric car, which won first prize in the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists.
It was later bought by a businessman for R10 000.
Augma - his generator powered car.
His second car, called the Augma, runs on a 10l petrol tank, is powered by a generator and has a top speed of 30km/h. It boasts a clutch, brake and accelerator pedals, four shock absorbers, an exhaust system, a hooter as well as four gears, including reverse.
Mabasa can even drive the vehicle at night because it has an effective lighting system, which is connected to an ordinary car battery. He believes that one day he will get a roadworthy certificate to use his car on public roads.
"It took me more than two years to make this car, but it is not yet finished. I still have to provide it with a handbrake, windows and a powerful music system," he said with a smile.
The rural carmaker passed matric in 2001, but he could not pursue his dream of becoming an engineer because of poverty at home. He is one of nine children and both his parents are unemployed.
"My short-term goal is to open a motor mechanic workshop in my village and create much-needed jobs," he said.
Daniel Makgoba, a trainer at Nissan SA in Pretoria, said Mabasa was one of about 30 students who had been enrolled at different dealerships across the country.
"They are learning to service, repair and overhaul the mechanical parts of a car. They will also attend classes and, upon completion of the two-year course, they will become qualified technicians and issued with relevant certificates," he said.
Mabasa entered the training programme last month and is expected to graduate in October 2011.
"I want to thank Nissan for recognising my talent and giving me this opportunity," he said.
