EP. 078Career Growth
Sipho Dlamini
From Apprentice to Workshop Owner in 10 Years
Sipho shares how he went from sweeping floors at 17 to running a 12-bay workshop in Soweto — and the hard lessons nobody tells you about.
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South Africa's Automotive Podcast
Real Conversations. Real Trades. Real Careers.
Beyond The Toolbox is the podcast for South Africa's automotive industry — mechanics, workshop owners, panel beaters, and the artisans who keep the country moving.
80+Episodes
15K+Monthly Listeners
60+Industry Guests
Featured Episodes
Straight From the Workshop Floor
EP. 074Industry Culture
Anél van der Merwe
Women in the Workshop: Breaking the Mould
Master panel beater Anél talks about earning respect in a male-dominated trade, and why she wouldn't change a thing.
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EP. 071Technology
Thabo Mokoena
The Future of Auto Electrics in SA
With EVs on the rise, auto electrician Thabo breaks down what tradespeople need to know to stay ahead of the curve.
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Job Board
Your Next Opportunity Is Here
Hundreds of automotive jobs across South Africa — from apprenticeships to senior workshop roles.
Diesel Mechanic
Transnet Engineering
JohannesburgFull-time
Panel Beater
AutoBody Pro
Cape TownFull-time
Workshop Foreman
Motus Holdings
DurbanFull-time
Auto Electrician
Unitrans
PretoriaFull-time
Career Stories
From the Workshop Floor
"I started as a petrol jockey. Nobody believed I'd become a master technician. The trades gave me everything."
"My matric results weren't great. But my hands were. Fifteen years later I employ 8 people."
"People underestimate what it takes to be a panel beater. It's art. It's engineering. It's everything."
Be on the Show
Got a Story Worth Telling?
If you've built something in the automotive trades — a career, a business, a reputation — we want to hear from you. Every episode is a chance to inspire the next generation of tradespeople.