A teacher and two pupils at Port Rex High made the Eastern Cape proud after dominating and conquering at national and international competitions in the fields of technical education and science.
Teacher Morné Hattingh, who teaches grades 10, 11 and 12, and grade 11 pupil Jayden Meise participated in the national technical skills competition held recently in Johannesburg.
The soft-spoken and humble Hattingh secured first place in the automotive educator category, while Meise achieved first place in the power systems student category.
At the same time, grade 10 pupil Milani Mjiji represented the school at the International Science Fair, also in Johannesburg, where she earned a silver medal in the chemistry and biochemistry category for her project focused on reducing water loss through sustainable methods.
Hattingh, who represented the Border-Buffalo City metro region, said he was proud to fly the Port Rex flag high.
“It felt good to represent the Border area, but for me it was also about representing my old school and current workplace, Port Rex. It was a great way to test myself,” he said.
“At first I was quite nervous meeting the other competitors, but soon realised that we were all like-minded people who simply wanted to be the best we can be, especially for our pupils.”
Nine provinces competed for the top spot.
“The competition was tough and I honestly thought I’d end up in third place. To my surprise, I came first — and that made me feel extremely proud and excited,” he said.
Contestants were required to complete three practical and theoretical tasks, including:
Wheel alignment, involving camber, caster, and wheel track adjustments;
Engine timing and advanced timing requiring precise valve clearance settings and degree measurements; and
Engine measurements, including oil clearance checks against manufacturer tolerances.
All tasks were performed under strict time limits with competitors expected to document their procedures, perform pre-inspections and present conclusions.
Hattingh said the preparation was largely mental, as competitors were not informed of the specific tasks beforehand.
“There wasn’t much we could prepare for, so I just focused on keeping my mind positive and clear,” he said.
Reflecting on his journey, Hattingh said his love for cars began in childhood, inspired by his father, Johan.
“My dad had a passion for cars. Growing up, I was always in the garage helping him, from holding the flashlight to sorting bolts and nuts. That’s where my love for the trade began.”
After matriculating from Port Rex in 2007, he completed his apprenticeship at an automotive dealership, qualifying in 2012. Frequent product training and sharing his knowledge with colleagues eventually led him into education.
“That’s where the educator bug bit me. I realised how much I enjoyed passing on knowledge. Our country needs more technical skills, and that’s exactly what the skills competition promotes.
“I’m passionate about developing young technical minds and believe that laying a strong foundation for the next generation is vital.”
