In a country where the future of many young people hangs in the balance due to challenges in traditional education systems, Baysville School of Skills in East London is lighting the way forward — one pupil at a time.
The institution recently welcomed a team from the SA Motor Body Repairers’ Association (Sambra) and the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI) for a visit focused on collaboration, mentorship, and future opportunities for pupils.
For Sambra, the visit was an opportunity to see the life-changing work being done at Baysville and explore further support the school.
“It was truly inspiring to witness the level of skill, commitment, and potential in the pupils at Baysville,” Sambra associational representative Abie Kriek, said.
Sambra national director Juan Hanekom said it was a valuable opportunity for the team to engage with the school and reflect on how Sambra can further support technical skills development in the region.
Baysville School of Skills is situated 2km from Port Rex Technical High School, where the annual Motor Industry Workshop Association Motor Mech competition is held.
“We are exploring the idea of hosting a motor body repair-focused skills competition at Baysville to complement the mechanical show,” he said.
The motor body repair industry is opening doors for young men and women with a range of qualifications they can use to secure exciting career prospects in SA.
“Anyone can succeed in the learning opportunities we offer, regardless of their personal circumstances. All you need is passion, commitment and discipline,” Hanekom said.
Baysville School of Skills is a place where pupils who struggle in traditional academic settings find their voice, and their value. With a strong focus on practical training in trades such as panel beating and spray painting, the school offers a realistic and empowering path to employment for its pupils.
“At Baysville, we believe every child has potential. We just need to provide the right environment for them to grow,” Baysville principal and vice principal of academics Werner Oosthuizen said.
“Through hands-on workshops and mentorship from skilled artisans, our pupils develop confidence, discipline, and highly employable skills.”
The school’s panel beating and spray-painting workshops are among the best in the province. Pupils work on real customer vehicles, producing results that rival those of seasoned professionals. With a 95% employment rate among panel beating graduates and the Eastern Cape’s only school-level spray painting workshop, Baysville stands out.
However, it operates under serious financial constraints.
The school receives no government funding and relies almost entirely on school fees, of which only 42% are collected annually. Yet the commitment of its staff remains unwavering.
