Thursday 9 July 2009 saw the official opening of Zombodze Panelbeaters at its new premises at Aeroton, Johannesburg.

The occasion marked the third phase in the upgrade of the panelbeater, bringing it’s business premises and processes in line with main stream auto body repair standards. It also marked a milestone in Alexander Forbes’ Adopt a Panel Shop enterprise development initiative which assists informal auto body repairers access main stream business by improving the equipment, facilities, service and grading of previously marginalised panel shops.   

Sthembela Nkosi, owner and manager of Zombodze Panelbeaters said that “it was a proud day for the entire Nkosi family who all owned the business together. He was also grateful to his long standing clients as well as Alexander Forbes Risk & Insurance Services, and now also Investment Solutions, who had stuck by the business through thick and thin.”  

In thanking Nkosi, David Tennick, COO of Investment Solutions said that “meeting the extended Nkosi family was an honour. In them he recognised many of the values of integrity, service and hard work central to the Investment Solutions culture. These values would stand Zombodze in good stead in the future.” 

Moetkesi Wa Mitane of the National African Association of Automobile Service providers, a partner in the Adopt a Panel Shop initiative, said that “Alexander Forbes had shown that real enterprise development was not just charity, signing a cheque, going away, and chalking up the spend on an empowerment scorecard.”  

Instead, Wa Mitane explained that Alexander Forbes had shown that “through real partnerships enterprise development could provide a strategic bridge between the informal and formal sectors, growing the industry by extending quality automotive repair service to a vast market of poorly serviced South African vehicle owners.”  

A key partner in this initiative, Richard Green, National Director of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), presented Zombodze Panelbeaters with a Non Structural Repairer grading award. 

Green explained that for a project like this to succeed it needed good leadership and committed partners, adding that “in Wa Mitane, Alexander Forbes, RMI, the South African Motor Body Repairs Association, the National Youth Development Agency, and the Chamber of Commerce & Industry Johannesburg the project had both.” 

In three short years the Adopt a Shop initiative had assisted four informal automotive repair businesses enter the formal sector. Moreover, two more panel shops had been identified for upgrades in Kwa-Zulu Natal later in 2009 with longer term plans for the rest of the country.   

Green urged other industry players to team up with Alexander Forbes. “The more partners and resources that this winning formula can command the quicker we’ll grow this sector to service all South Africans and move our economy to new levels of service and productivity” added Green.  

Gary Braude, Director of Hyundai Parts Distribution, representing the only manufacturer supporting the Adopt a Panel Shop initiative, was there to present Zombodze Panelbeaters with an Hyundai Approval rating.  

Braude added that “the Adopt a Panel Shop initiative demonstrates that the South African automotive industry is not just a bunch of sharks out to steal your money. We’re here to serve the public with integrity by extending good service to all South Africans while providing quality jobs.” 

Further info:       Errol Masinga: Alexander Forbes Risk and Insurance Services
                           011 669 3450 / masingae@aforbes.co.za 

Source:    Press Release     12 July 2009