This is not a direct trucking-related story but it’s one that caught my eye because it demonstrates how innovative thinking can be used to create opportunities that benefit not just the company behind the initiative but an entire sector of small entrepreneurs.
South Africa has a massive informal economy, populated by thousands of hardworking people who have the drive and determination to build their own businesses but often lack the resources, support and access to markets needed to realise their full potential.
We’ve often wondered how much practical support these entrepreneurs actually receive, particularly those operating in our townships. Well, here’s an example of a company that has recognised both a business opportunity and an opportunity to make a meaningful difference.
Motus Aftermarket Parts has developed an initiative that not only makes sound commercial sense for the company but also helps township mechanics build stronger, more sustainable businesses. It’s a classic win-win situation and in a country crying out for entrepreneurship, job creation and economic growth, it’s the kind of thinking we need to see more of. Let’s have a closer look…
South Africa’s informal automotive sector is a significant source of job creation and local economic activity, with kasi mechanics playing a vital role in keeping vehicles roadworthy and communities on the move. According to the Labour Research Service, half of the country’s 220 000 auto mechanics worked in the informal sector in the second quarter of 2025, around double the number from 2010. These businesses are an important part of township economies and mobility, making practical support for their growth essential.
However, for many township mechanics, access to quality parts, trusted brands, diagnostic tools and business knowledge is a daily challenge. The knock-on effects include slower repair times, difficulty retaining customers and limited business growth.
For an independent workshop, growth depends on more than completing a repair. Mechanics need to price jobs accurately, manage cash flow and build a customer base that returns. Reliable access to parts and business skills can help create the conditions for reinvesting in equipment and, as demand grows, taking on an assistant or training another mechanic.
Connecting independent mechanics
Motus Aftermarket Parts is helping address these challenges through Klutch, a digital programme that connects independent mechanics directly to its Midas, Alert and AfintaPart stores. Mechanics can enquire about parts, check availability and pricing, and place orders, reducing the time and travel needed to source supplies.
Alongside access to parts, the programme offers knowledge sharing and skills development to help workshop owners strengthen their technical capabilities and business practices. By combining its distribution network with practical business support, Motus is helping kasi mechanics serve customers more efficiently and strengthen the foundations for business growth.
For Soshanguve-based entrepreneur, mechanic and Klutch participant Salix Banda, easier access to parts means less time spent sourcing parts and more time serving his customers.
“When I can find the parts I need without travelling from one supplier to another, I get vehicles back to their owners sooner. This builds trust with my customers and helps me earn repeat business, which is important for growing my workshop. It also means people in my community can get back on the road without unnecessary delays, so they can keep up with their work and other responsibilities.”
Mduduzi Mahlalela, Business Development Manager at Motus Aftermarket Parts, says: “Access to parts is one piece of the puzzle. Mechanics also need technical knowledge, diagnostic capabilities and sound business practices to serve their customers. Klutch brings these resources together, helping participants improve the way they work and grow their businesses.”
The programme also offers exclusive discounts, cashback rewards, knowledge sharing, and skills development. In addition, through used-oil recycling training in partnership with Shell and the Rose Foundation, Klutch promotes responsible workshop practices and supports a circular economy by helping return materials to the production cycle.
As South Africa’s informal automotive sector grows, kasi mechanics need practical support to help them move from owner-dependent operations to sustainable, scalable businesses.
Michelle Raw, Chief Executive Officer at Motus Aftermarket Parts, says: “Independent mechanics contribute significantly to livelihoods and economic activity in their communities. That’s why we developed the Klutch programme. By making it easier to source quality parts and access technical assistance, we are helping mechanics spend more time serving their customers and focusing on running their businesses.”
Programmes such as Klutch offer one approach by combining access to parts with technical and business support. The wider opportunity is to help more workshop owners build a reliable customer base, reinvest in their businesses and create opportunities for others, while keeping their communities mobile.
Editor’s Comment: This isn’t about charity. It’s about creating opportunities through commercial innovation that benefits everyone involved. The best way to empower entrepreneurs is not to give them a handout but to give them a genuine opportunity to succeed. That’s the real strength of the story.
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