• Nissan South Africa is looking to deliver on its socio-economic development initiatives for the country, having recently partnered with local tertiary institutions.
• To that end the company has given engines and other motor parts to UJ and five other TVET colleges in Gauteng, Limpopo, and the North-West. 
• The donations total R2 million and are part of Nissan’s Motor Technology Enhancement Programme (MTEP).

As local students weigh up their options for studies in 2023, Nissan South Africa has announced donations as part of an initiative aimed at enhancing motoring technology skills that may be of interest to budding learners.

To that end, the company has donated engines and other motoring parts to the University of Johannesburg and five other TVET colleges, located in Gauteng, Limpopo, and the North-West. The latter colleges are Tshwane North, Tshwane South, Waterberg, Vuselela, and Central Johannesburg.

The engine unit sets comprise of engines, gearboxes, and differentials, with the donations totalling more than R2 million, according to Nissan South Africa.

“Nissan has embarked on a journey to support skills development and training in higher education institutions across South Africa, through actively supporting projects that are focused on resolving societal challenges. We’re committed to working to improve the lives of South Africans and communities in areas such as education, the environment and humanitarian aid,” added Kabelo Rabotho, country director at Nissan SA, regarding the donations.

Here the director notes that there is a dearth of automotive industry skills at the moment, with the hope that this donation and similar initiatives can help to address the critical shortage. In particular, skills such as motor body repair and spray painting, petrol mechanics, diesel mechanics, welding, vehicle bodybuilding, and auto electrical specialists are in the least supply.

“Having Nissan South Africa as our partner in the journey towards establishing an up-to-date motor technical programme, with tools and state-of-the-art equipment is a dream come true for us,” enthused Dr. Samuel Loyiso Gqibani, UJ’s head of School for Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Technology.

“The engines will provide experiential training to students who are studying automotive programmes in the Engineering Faculty, and this will enable lecturers to enhance learning by providing practical demonstrations and application of the subject content,” added Dr. Thembi Tsibogo, principal at Tshwane North College.

With the country currently working towards an Automotive Masterplan 2035 (PDF), here’s hoping these engines are put to good use.