South Africa’s automotive aftersales economy is being reshaped by the rapid rise of township mechanics, whose workshops are increasingly providing credible, competitive and affordable alternatives to traditional service centres.

With constrained household budgets, volatile vehicle ownership patterns and a growing need for accessible repair solutions, these microenterprises have become indispensable nodes in the mobility ecosystem, highlights economic advisory firm UBU Investment Holdings-affiliated cooperative The Motor Spares Collective (TMSC) director Shireen Crosson.

She notes that this expansion is also forcing component suppliers, insurers and original-equipment manufacturers to rethink long-standing assumptions about quality, compliance and market access.

Rather than viewing township mechanics purely as informal operators, major players are beginning to see them as gateways into high-volume consumer segments, but only if systemic constraints are addressed.

Crosson says the combination of technical support, certified components and targeted compliance interventions could unlock significant industrial and employment gains.

“This market is too big to ignore, but support must be practical, affordable and rooted in real operational challenges,” she notes.

Strengthening the Ecosystem

Crosson notes that the most persistent constraint facing township mechanics is not a lack of capability, but the absence of structured pathways to training, tools, and reliable supply chains for quality components.

Many operators are self-taught but technically skilled, especially on vehicles older than five years, which is a segment that now dominates South Africa’s car parc, she highlights, adding that as the aftermarket grows more complex, the ability to quickly access approved parts becomes central to both safety and competitiveness.

Crosson explains that this is where strategic partnerships with component manufacturers and logistics providers can rapidly shift performance outcomes. The TMSC programme has already begun piloting low-cost diagnostic toolkits, simplified compliance templates and curated parts catalogues designed for smaller workshops.

“We’ve found that once you eliminate the friction points such as sourcing, pricing and access to technical data, productivity improves almost immediately,” Crosson says.

Scalable Model for Sector Impact

Beyond supply chain integration, TMSC sees township mechanics as a major force for localised economic development and Crosson highlights that most independent workshops employ between three and ten staff, yet their contribution to employment and circulation of economic activity in township centres is disproportionately high.

With improved compliance and a clearer relationship with insurers, she argues, their growth could be exponential.

Crosson emphasises that the future of the automotive sector lies in structured collaboration rather than ad-hoc interventions. Insurers are increasingly open to working with accredited township workshops, especially where repair costs remain lower and turnaround times competitive.

She adds that component suppliers, too, are starting to recognise the strategic importance of these businesses in stabilising demand for locally manufactured parts.

“What we’re building is a model that respects the realities of the township economy while raising standards in a way that benefits everyone,” Crosson says.

As South Africa prepares for shifts in vehicle technologies, extended ownership cycles and a tightening economic climate, township mechanics are poised to play an even more central role.

Their positioning at the intersection of affordability, access and community-based mobility needs makes them one of the most dynamic forces in the automotive components sector today. With the right support mechanisms, they could anchor a more inclusive, resilient and competitive aftermarket industry.