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Dineo and Keneuwe Glomane are twin sisters who grew up with a dream of opening their own business. But they had no idea what it would be.
As fate had it – they finally received a break to enter the motor industry and today they own, Womech (Women in Mechanics), an independent aftermarket workshop in Secunda.
Dineo Glomane said: "The idea of owning a business started in college. We wanted to pursue our studies, however, the course we wanted to do was too expensive for our mother who was the only one working at that time.
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"We received a bursary to do Auto Electrical after completing our N6 of electrical engineering. A year later, while completing the auto electrical course, we got an apprenticeship at Value Logistics. They offered us the positions of auto electrician and diesel mechanic. This was where the idea of opening a workshop in future really started. We took the opportunity to do the apprenticeship."
Both Dineo and Keneuwe qualified in 2008. In 2017 they opened Womech. Dineo is currently the CFO and HR manager of Womech while Keneuwe is the CEO as well as the Operations manager.
Dineo said: "Truth be told we never thought we would be in the motor industry but circumstances lead us to it and we fell in love with the job. What we love about the job is that it is challenging, male dominant and you need to fix the problem before the vehicle leaves the workshop."
Dineo’s advice to young women out there is not to limit themselves: "Take whatever opportunity comes your way. Do not be choosy because sometimes what you want, isn’t what you can’t get. You also never know what talent you have until you put yourself in situations you never knew you would find yourself in. Always remember anything is possible if you put your heart and mind into it. It’s not only about hard work but about using your brain and working smart."
Dineo and Keneuwe plan to start a training centre to empower young women and encourage them to be actively involved in the motor industry.
"It is a tough industry to work in but we can do it," she concludes.
Womech is a member of the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA), a proud association of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI). MIWA Chairman, Dewald Ranft, says it’s encouraging to see women like Dineo and Keneuwe playing a part in the industry.
"Celebrating women this month, we salute not only Dineo and Keneuwe but all women who work tirelessly to make this industry operate. From administrations, to HR, finances and also on the workshop floor, women are pivotal in how independent workshop businesses are run. We encourage more women to consider a career in the motor industry," he says.
