11-06-2025
TVET college students to help resuscitate metro's ailing vehicle fleet
Aspiring mechanical engineers from Kariega's Eastcape Midlands TVET College have already been given their first major task — repairing Nelson Mandela Bay's vehicle fleet.
On Tuesday, the college launched a partnership with the municipality in which 14 third-year mechanical engineering students will help fix some of the city's vehicles sitting broken down in the four depots.
The launch was attended by mayor Babalwa Lobishe.
Eastcape Midlands TVET College's director for partnerships and linkages, Lindithemba Sdeba, said they had come up with the concept of tackling societal problems through TVET-driven solutions.
'We once fixed beds at Uitenhage Provincial Hospital, and had a similar programme with the department of correctional services at St Albans Prison where we fixed cars and sewing machines.
'Today, we handed over 14 students who will be going to the four depots looking at cars that can be fixed, what the quick fixes are and run diagnostic tests and see who can help in giving parts needed.
'Our goal is to help the municipality speed up service delivery and we feel we can assist if we can quickly [fix] these vehicles.'
Sdeba said the municipality's fleet department was under siege, with only two mechanics employed in the entire metro.
'The programme will run as long as there is a need.'
A recent report looking into the city's fleet management raised serious concerns about its services, with the report alleging that vehicles were deliberately damaged for the municipality to spend millions on the leasing of vehicles.
The Herald
