Bethuel and Baldwin were part of the first group to join the Filpro program. Both are originally from Northern Limpopo and had worked solely in their individual informal spaces. Bethuel’s expertise lies in auto electrics, a field that scares many off, while Baldwin’s lies in motor mechanics. The two’s paths would eventually merge one day, birthing SABB Motors. They knew that by partnering up, they could achieve more. One of the many powerful lessons learnt along their journey.
“We used to work corner-to-corner, being chased from one area to the next, eventually landing in the Baragwanath area, even working under trees”, Baldwin explains when referring to just how informal things were.
“I’ve learnt to trust in my goals and dreams and work hard at it.”
Laughter erupts, and I can’t help but think of the tenacity and creativity displayed to get the job done, regardless of the location.
With the partnership forming, Bethuel and Baldwin recalled their start-up fears. How would they be able to pay for the workshop rent?
A moment of their innocence and something I find intriguing about human nature, how we limit our ambitions out of fear until we achieve something great and, in the process, overcome that fear. This is precisely what Bethuel and Baldwin demonstrate when they look back at the moment that they got through the first month of operations at their new premises and had made not just enough money to cover the rent but to do that and a bit more. There’s more laughter. This time about the roller coaster ride that entrepreneurship can be and just how important programs like Filpro are to smooth that ride out as we can’t afford to make all the mistakes ourselves. It can be a motivational factor when we get it right, like Baldwin and Bethuel did.
Baldwin and Bethuel both have similar outlooks on values, talking about how they counted every cent from the beginning, putting the cash flow management lessons to work, making strategic plans around acquiring specialised tools like diagnostic machines and understanding that by investing in capital items like that, they’d be able to see the return on investment down the line.
“Getting my qualification in motor mechanics is some of the happiest moments of my life. If you know your story and have the necessary certification, people will support you. The profits will come later.”
Mentorship has been a critical theme throughout my conversation. Some of the workshop owners I’ve met had some degree of it, while others had very little. That’s a gap where Filpro has undersold their value as the voices lent have been vitally important. Perhaps not an absolute answer to every issue but a critical sounding board that has helped men like Bethuel and Baldwin. There’s so much potential in that.
The community’s needs range from a simple repair to fixing complex issues and also helping others like the Police and Taxi transport industry. These services are widespread in many vital sectors and meet basic needs like transporting workers to grocery stores, teachers to schools and, in the case of the police, ensuring adequate vehicles in working condition to patrol. It is through knowing that one gets the sense of just how important a role a business like this plays and how valuable a helping hand like Filpro is.
Beyond their initial customer base and on the topic of acceptance within the community, Bethuel and Baldwin recall the challenges of building trust when they started operating with neither being a local from the immediate area. Acceptance proved quite tricky, and that’s where help was needed to build trust and acceptance. Part of that help came through using quality OEM parts when solving problems. One can never undervalue this element. Employing nine workers ranging from business administration and mechanical assistance, SABB Motors has positioned itself as more than just a small business. They’re positioning themselves to break through that medium-sized barrier and beyond, but they’re doing it at their own pace, which I find admirable. I’m particularly impressed at the gender spread of mechanical workers, with a fair share of female mechanics.
Signs that the old ways are transitioning into new, breaking down those old stereotypes.
Upliftment and development are underlying themes that SABB Motors has been built on and precisely the same values that Filpro was founded on. Based on this sound common ground, I can see why the relationship has worked so well. Bethuel and Balwin refer to the story of ‘Lucky’, one of SABB’s longest-standing employees, who used to visit with his father when he was still at school. Lucky then went on to achieve his trade certificate in motor mechanics before joining SABB Motors. It dawns on me that so many similar stories are wrapped within this story and that SABB, along with every business under the Filpro program, is stimulating the economy and influencing lives positively and profoundly.
What the country is lacking is hands-on workers like Baldwin. While many shy away from this type of work for whatever reason, these skills will become more critical in a developing nation like South Africa, where electric vehicle adoption will be slower. On discussing future goals, SABB Motor’s grand plans involve buying a piece of land to develop a property to run the business from. I’m convinced that with the further assistance of Filpro and how Bethuel and Baldwin have approached challenges to date, this dream will be realised.
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All I can say is WOW. So inspiring. Being moved from tree to tree and they still laugh about it. Well done guys keep it up the journey is far from over.
Shooo starting out on your own and that first months rent, brings back memories of me coming home to tell my wife I have signed a lease and starting my own workshop. It was extremely tough at first and with a new born baby as well, have never looked back tho – No Regrets!!! Well done guys !!!
Well done for being fearless and doing strategic planning to make it thus far
Well done guys! Your story is an inspiration – not letting anything stand in your way. Adding to the economy and investing in the community is what business is all about. Keep it up
I hope will achieve more with NGK on our side
Well done Gents on your successful partnership.
I believe your hands on approach and OE quality products is why you achieved success from day1.
Well done gent’s on your amazing achievement.
Well done to both Bethuel and Nematondoni,Your dedication is inspirational,from working under trees to where you are today with staff and diagnostic tools you will go far together.Well done Filpro for seeing the potential in Bethuel and Nematondoni.
I can remember that first month after signing that lease………nerve wrecking, but we prsue our dreams. Well done Guys, keep it up!
Well done – the start is always scary and you have achieved a lot
You are diong good. Good luxk for the future
Well done! It shows what having a dream and pursuing it (and having some formal training) can do. With the right skills and knowledge, and with the correct attitude, one can achieve great things – and it is good to see small business growing and upsskilling and employing people.
This shows you never to give up on your goals and dreams. If you believe in yourself enough anything is possible and achievable. It starts by you. May your business grow from strength to strength.
Dream big
Your story is an inspiration, Well done……
Very inspirational. Keep it up and well done. All the best for the road ahead.
Well done guys on your great achievements.