UPDATE: 20/08/2026
When we last wrote about a young Bloemfontein autobody repair apprentice that had earned national recognition after winning the gold medal in the Autobody Repair category at the WorldSkills South Africa (WSZA) National Competition, securing his place to represent South Africa on the global stage.
We caught up with Mesuli Nande Gxalaba (21), an apprentice at Technicolour Autobody Repair in Bloemfontein, a South African Motor Body Repair (SAMBRA) accredited workshop, and Vuyane Ndamane, an Autobody Repairs Facilitator at Motheo TVET College to find out how preparations are going. This is what they had to say:
“Our Team South Africa Auto Body Repair preparations for the WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 Competition continue to progress well, with each stage of the journey bringing us closer to the international standard required for the competition.
The preparation process has provided valuable opportunities for both the competitor and the coach to strengthen technical skills, improve precision and efficiency, and reinforce the importance of quality workmanship and attention to detail. Every activity contributes towards achieving the high standards expected at WorldSkills.
One of the most rewarding moments has been the competitor’s own reflection on his preparation journey. He described the experience as challenging, but exactly the kind of challenge he needed. He shared that he now approaches repairs with a renewed mindset and greater confidence. The preparation has already had a positive impact on the way he works, and he remains determined to continue refining his skills each day.
As Coach, it has been encouraging to witness this growth and to see the competitor’s confidence, discipline, and professionalism continue to develop throughout the preparation process. While there is still hard work ahead, we remain focused and committed to ensuring that Team South Africa is fully prepared to compete on the international stage in Shanghai this September.
We extend our sincere appreciation to everyone who continues to support our WorldSkills journey. Together, we remain committed to representing South Africa with pride and showcasing the high level of skill, dedication, and professionalism within the Auto Body Repair industry.”
We are crossing fingers and wishing the team and Mesuli the best of luck as they finish preparing over the next couple of months.
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON 13TH MARCH 2026
A young Bloemfontein autobody repair apprentice has earned national recognition after winning the gold medal in the Autobody Repair category at the WorldSkills South Africa (WSZA) National Competition, securing his place to represent South Africa on the global stage.
Bloemfontein apprentice earns national recognition
Mesuli Nande Gxalaba (21), an apprentice at Technicolour Autobody Repair in Bloemfontein, a South African Motor Body Repairers’ Association (SAMBRA) accredited workshop, emerged as the national gold medallist during the competition held from 8 – 12 March at the Chief Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in KwaZulu-Natal.
As the national winner, Gxalaba will now go on to represent South Africa at the WorldSkills International Competition in Shanghai, China, in September 2026.
The competition also saw strong performances from fellow Free State competitors. Setlhare Onthatile Motlomelo (21), also from Technicolour scooped silver while Sizwe Motaung (22) from B&H Panelbeaters in Bloemfontein secured the bronze medal highlighting the strength of talent emerging from the region.
Free State apprentices dominate autobody repair category
All three competitors are apprentices linked to Motheo TVET College, whose training programmes continue to produce highly skilled artisans capable of competing at national level.
Vuyane Ndamane, Autobody Repairs Facilitator at Motheo TVET College and coach to the competitors, says the results are a testament to the dedication and determination shown by the apprentices throughout the competition.
“I am extremely proud of the team. They demonstrated not only a high level of technical ability and passion for the trade, but also resilience, hard work and tenacity throughout the competition,” says Ndamane.
Training and industry support behind the success
While the national results are a significant achievement, Ndamane says the focus now shifts to preparing Gxalaba for the international stage.
“The real work begins now as we prepare Mesuli for the international competition, which is just five months away. Our focus is to secure the right level of specialised training and industry support to ensure he can compete at global standards.”
Ndamane has played a key role in preparing the competitors for the national competition, working closely with industry partners such as Technicolour Autobody Repair, which supported the training process by providing access to the tools, equipment and workplace exposure aligned with international autobody repair standards.
For Gxalaba, the victory reflects months of intensive preparation. “After winning provincials we trained like crazy – every minute counted. We were hungry for that global podium, and Shanghai was always the goal,” he says. “Representing South Africa, Motheo TVET College, Technicolour and the motor industry as a whole is something I’m incredibly proud of.”
What WorldSkills means for young artisans
WorldSkills South Africa forms part of the global WorldSkills International movement, which promotes vocational and technical excellence across more than 70 member countries and provides a platform for young artisans to benchmark their skills against international standards.
“For South Africa’s automotive sector, the success of competitors like Gxalaba highlights the depth of talent emerging through technical training and apprenticeships, reinforcing the importance of continued investment in artisan development and industry partnerships. We are delighted that participants from two of our SAMBRA shops were able to perform so strongly. This bodes well for the future of the MBR sector,” says Louis van Huyssteen, National Training Director at the RMI.
Preparing for the international stage in Shanghai
As preparations begin for Shanghai in 2026, the focus now turns to ensuring South Africa’s newest national champion is equipped to compete with the best young autobody repair technicians in the world.
