95,000 Women Are Reshaping South Africa’s Automotive Industry — But There’s Still Work to Do

A Sector in Transition

South Africa’s automotive industry has long carried a reputation as a male-dominated space, but the numbers are starting to tell a different story. Fresh data from the Motor Industry Bargaining Council (MIBCO) reveals that women now account for nearly 95,000 workers — roughly 30% of the sector’s total 316,945-strong workforce in the organised automotive retail aftermarket.

That figure signals real, measurable progress. But it also makes clear that the industry still has significant ground to cover before it truly reflects the country it operates in.

What the Numbers Actually Mean

Tshabalala put it plainly: “Our industry is built around people. Every time a young artisan qualifies, a woman steps into a leadership position or a small business grows, we strengthen not only our sector but the South African economy.”

Why This Matters for Young South Africans

For young people — and especially young women — eyeing a career path, the automotive sector is opening doors that were barely ajar a decade ago. The industry spans everything from engineering and diagnostics to retail management and entrepreneurship, making it one of the more versatile career landscapes in the country.

The push for transformation here is not just corporate box-ticking. With South Africa facing persistently high youth unemployment, industries that actively recruit and develop young women create real economic ripple effects — more skilled workers, more small businesses, more household incomes lifted.

The Work Still Ahead

Thirty percent is a milestone, not a finish line. The RMI is clear that growing female participation — particularly in hands-on technical roles and at the executive level — must remain a deliberate, sustained priority. The data shows progress is possible; the challenge now is accelerating it.