Breaking Ground - Ntombehle Dlamini

As the motor industry shifts towards electric vehicles, BMW motor technician Ntombehle is ensuring she evolves with it. She redirected her career by completing a BMW Group technical course specialising in electric vehicles. 

Working on electric vehicles requires specialised training. With cables carrying between 12,000 and 80,000 volts, technicians must know exactly how to disconnect and isolate the high-voltage systems before carrying out any repairs. “It’s dangerous work if you don’t know what you're doing,” she says.

Her interest began at school, before she studied Mechanical Engineering at Ekurhuleni East College in Johannesburg. In 2019, she was selected to attend a year-long leadership programme in Zhengzhou, China. During her time there, she earned the nickname “Zhen Zhen” – the Chinese translation of her English name, Precious.

Her career has since taken her to BMW dealerships in Pietermaritzburg and Durban City before she transferred to BMW Ballito earlier this year, where she continues to build her expertise in one of the fastest-evolving areas of the automotive industry.

Away from the workshop, Ntombehle has become an inspiration in her home community, where many people are surprised to see a woman thriving in a profession traditionally dominated by men. “People are fascinated that a woman is doing this job,” she says. “It has inspired and empowered many young girls.” For Ntombehle, however, the greatest satisfaction comes from solving problems. “What I enjoy most about my job is discovering and diagnosing faults in vehicles,” she says. “I love a challenge.”

As the automotive world embraces new technology, she is proving that the industry’s future will be shaped not only by electric vehicles but also by women with the skills, determination and curiosity to master them.