There’s a hive of activity on the outskirts of Clement’s Auto Beemer’s & Services. It’s certainly not your average BMW service centre you’d find in Sandton, and the background of the yard is filled with transmissions, spare parts and carcasses of 3-series, 5-series and 7-series spanning the decades. I’m immediately intrigued by the contrast of these once symbols of success in an environment that is as foreign as what BMW might have thought. Along with a mixed breed dog that I can’t quite pinpoint what his role is, roaming in and around a group of individuals scattered about, and I can’t work out who’s a customer, worker or friend stopping by for a chat which happens a lot, I’m told. None of that matters as from under an E60 5-series climbs Clement with a broad smile and a firm handshake.
“It’s getting harder to fix the newer cars given the technology that goes into them. We require expensive tooling”
We’re escorted into one part admin office and the other part a spares storage department to start our chat in a dimly lit environment, thanks to load shedding. On one side, the wall is decorated with Filpro certificates and achievements, which Clement takes me through with a radiant glow of pride on his face. On the other side, there’s some BMW paraphernalia and an original BBS wheel from the famed E30 325iS. Clement’s demeanour and way of speaking match what I would expect from someone associated with this premium brand. It’s formal but not too formal, has a steady flow, and I’m intrigued about how this all works. The uniqueness of having a dedicated BMW service centre in the middle of Soweto. Who would have ever thought?.
Like many, Clement’s entrepreneurial journey started in his parent’s backyard in Molapo, Soweto, on an informal footing. With a growing customer base and increased pressure from municipal bylaws, Clement was evicted by the authorities. In another stroke of destiny, it was at that time when he was approached by the Filpro team, who helped find a new location to operate from as well as injecting the much-needed formal business practice Clement required to further his growth plans. When raising the topic of mentorship in one’s journey, Clement lights up again, talking about how a senior Portuguese mechanic named Manny Rebeiro helped him along his journey, offering guidance and a positive influence.
“As a young boy in Primary school I just wanted to fix up anything that came my way”
It’s these culture-merging moments that I’ve come to find. Clement’s story on the formalisation from backyard mechanics to having a proper offering for those sharing in the love for the executive car of choice in Msanzi is a real gem for the Filpro program. He knew he needed to have an established place to work to give his customers the best possible experience at an affordable price. When working with original parts, there is no compromise. Clement will not budge on the quality and understands it well after the training received through the program, demonstrating the difference between knock-offs and original parts. Still, Clement knows this is part of why people keep coming back, along with offering a service at a fraction of the price they’d get if they went to a Sandton-based service centre.
That’s a big deal, given South Africans’ loyalty toward car brands. I can see that through Clements’s dealings with his customers that he’s always putting the best foot forward, and I’m perplexed that BMW has not seen to develop more opportunities with people like Clement. With a well-established network, as I witness through the hive of activity outside, from parts suppliers dropping into new customers checking in to the calls to fellow tool diagnostic machine holders, Clement’s grit in solving problems. I find it refreshingly resourceful that, given the enormous expenses linked to buying tools, service centres like Clement’s have divided and conquered the issue, sharing tools with each other. When working with original parts, there is no compromise. Clement will not budge on the quality and understands it well after the
training received through the program, demonstrating the difference between knock-offs and original parts. Still, Clement knows this is part of why people keep coming back, along with offering a service at a fraction of the price they’d get if they went to a Sandton-based service centre. That’s a big deal, given South Africans’ loyalty toward car brands. I can see that through Clements’s dealings with his customers that he’s always putting the best foot forward, and I’m perplexed that BMW has not seen to develop more opportunities with people like Clement. With a well-established network, as I witness through the hive of activity outside, from parts suppliers dropping into new customers checking in to the calls to fellow tool diagnostic machine holders,
Selflessly, Clement has played teacher to the community too. He’s done well in business and wants to pass on the social responsibility learnt through Filpro, the positive number of youth he’s taking on board to train and develop embodies that
spirit of giving back along with the eight staff he has permanently employed. He’s also become a breeder of entrepreneurial spirit within the community inspiring others to start their own businesses, paying forward the goodwill created by the Filpro program, which is massively positive given the high percentage of unemployment South Africa has. Clement also sponsors a youth football club called “Protea Glen LA Stars.”
Clement’s story is a happy chain of events stitched together by the passion for motoring and the savvy to fix things. From once being labelled a pavement mechanic to being a prominent part of the Sowetan landscape, Clement’s pride stands out as one of his most wholesome characteristics, and the role he’s played in fixing these status symbol machines for his community is something special and has played a vital part in helping anyone share in aspirational brands like BMW and not just those who live in South Africa’s leafy suburbs. All I know is that the same 12-year-old Clement who used to fix radios would be proud of what would eventually come from that, along with a sustainable business thanks to the Filpro program from those backyard mechanic days.
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I love this story, such a feel good one. Well done Clement
Touching Rags to Riches story always captivates with initiatives undertaken emanating from being previously disadvantaged
Genuine and noble. Characteristics of an individual who is selfless.
A great story
A fantastic story with an ongoing story
A story of share determination and Ubuntuness that’s oozes African ism.
Well done hard work always pays off. This is truly inspirational and this story should be shares outside of NGK. Success stories like this should be shared with school children and students.
Well done hard work always pays off. This is truly inspirational and this story should be shares outside of NGK. Success stories like this should be shared with school children and students. Keep up the good work!
Beautiful story. Selflessly sharing and giving back some of his knowledge to the community where he came from. Never forget where you came from.
A story of perseverance and benevolance
Well done ,we need more people like you
Well done Clement. It makes a world of difference when you get up every morning and go do what your passion is and what you have loved your whole life.
Clement’s inspiring story reaches to he’s small community in developing young talent through a soccer team is really fernormanal.
He’s passion to work from 12 years old onwards shows he’s great character.
Keep up your good spirit.
Wow!! from fixing radios to a reputable motor mechanic. I like his inspiration, and him sharing with children how to fix cars. He is sponsoring a youth football club to show that he has Ubuntu.
Wow well done Clement such a nice story
It is indeed true that all roads that lead to success have to pass through hard work. Very Inspirational story selfless in his efforts of giving back to his community.
It is indeed true that all roads that lead to success have to pass through hard work.
Clement keep on smiling and doing what you do as you have put a smile on other peoples faces by providing them with an income
What an inspirational journey Mr Sithole has gone through to get where he is today,with such enthusiasm for what he does there can only be many more years ahead of business growth and opportunities,all the very best to you and your employees and those given the opportunity to learn from you.
What an awesome story.
Hard work and passion indeed.
Good to see people progressing. Good life story.
What a heart warming story. You are an inspiration to many. Well done Clement.
The determination to learn and develop a professional skill is evident! An inspiration to those around.
Great story.
It is so encouraging to see the hard work and dedication to succeed being put into practice and hope the business continues to flourish
A very motivational story, inspiring
great work
GOOD LUCK WITH IT ALL.
awesome ,well done!!!!!!!
Youre doing a good job. Keep going
Wow
Well done Clement.
Keep going.
Hard work always pays off 💪
Great work Clement 👏