South African Auto Workshops Still Struggle for Equal Opportunities Despite Right to Repair Legislation

Over two years since the implementation of a landmark competition law, South African township auto workshops continue to face an uphill battle for business. The law, which was touted as revolutionary for leveling the playing field, seems to have done little to alter the status quo for many local mechanics and panelbeaters operating out of townships. Sisa Mbangxa, the founder and president of the African Panelbeaters and Motor Mechanics Association (APMMA), is a vocal advocate for these businesses, challenging the industry to live up to the promise of the legislation.

The Draft Code of Conduct for Competition in the South African Automotive Industry, enforced from July 1, 2021, was supposed to dismantle the preferential treatment afforded to franchised dealers and approved panelbeaters. This change intended to grant customers the freedom to choose service providers and give independent workshops a fair chance to compete for business.

Mbangxa, however, points out that the expectations have failed to materialize as anticipated. His organization, representing qualified professionals with proper workshops, has been pushing against a seemingly impenetrable wall of resistance. While there have been some winners from the broad-based Right to Repair campaign, those at the heart of township economies have largely been overlooked.

The reality is that township workshops have been challenged in their efforts to gain a foothold in servicing private fleets, car rentals, and even government departments, which ostensibly should prioritize uplifting small black-owned businesses. According to Mbangxa, a stigma persists around the term "township," which discourages potential partnerships and leads to lost opportunities.

As a result, Mbangxa has embarked on a national roadshow aimed at galvanizing small, black-owned workshops to unite and enhance their collective bargaining power. A significant hurdle in this initiative is increasing APMMA's membership to be recognized by a national umbrella organization. However, the requirement to first provide costly member benefits poses a catch-22, as it is a financial strain on many of these small businesses.

Mbangxa's mission transcends the simple act of boosting numbers. He seeks to address the apparent institutional inertia and biases that continue to hamper township enterprises. The continued struggle faced by APMMA and its members reflects broader societal disregard for township economies, a disregard Mbangxa is determined to challenge.

Despite the profound changes reputed by motor companies and affiliated dealers since 2021, Mbangxa's experiences on the ground tell a different story. He perceives a lack of substantial progress toward true industry equality, with the benefits of new legislation seemingly confined to the theoretical realm.

Undeterred, Mbangxa is prepared to fight, even if it means alienating powerful industry stakeholders. His message is clear: ignoring the potential and rights of township businesses is no longer acceptable. In pursuit of empowerment and a fair share of the market, his ultimate goal is not merely to survive but to thrive in an industry that has traditionally marginalized the very providers it now claims to support.