9 July 2014
For born-and-bred Port Elizabeth woman Thembisa Ngxale, working at First Automotive Works’s (FAW’s) new truck manufacturing plant in the Coega industrial development zone is a dream come true.
Ngxale, who was employed as a warehouse stock controller at the Chinese automaker’s new truck factory in April, say she is excited about using her skills to help grow FAW South Africa and contribute to her local community.
“I have so much to offer my community and FAW, where there is a strong learning curve for employees,” Ngxale says. “The company is new, and it’s a good place for someone who wants to gain more experience in the automotive sector.”
As an only child, Ngxale grew up in Port Elizabeth’s Zwide township, but now lives at Coega’s Vulindlela Accommodation and Conference Centre so she can be closer to her work.
After matriculating, she graduated with a BTech in Logistics Management from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, going on to work as a trainee logistics manager for Spar retail, where she worked in a receiving warehouse. She also worked as a buyer at Volkswagen South Africa in Uitenhage for two years.
As warehouse stock controller at FAW South Africa, her duties include keeping stock records, receiving stock and placing new orders when stock is depleted.
“I want to gain more experience in logistics management and to develop myself and other people,” she says, adding that her new job “builds on my prior experience, and I get to work in a dynamic environment and learn new systems and ways of doing things.”
Ngxale gained experience working as a teacher’s assistant at local high school Sakisizwe High, and on weekends she works for non-governmental organisation Protech, delivering a course called World at Work in which she educates young people about what to expect when entering the job market.
“There is a big gap in the communities when it comes to life skills, and I’m passionate about sharing my experiences,” she says.
FAW Human Resources Generalist Kobie Jacobs said Ngxala’s “ambition and willingness to go the extra mile has relieved the processes of stock controlling in the warehouse. She has sufficient knowledge of the position, and we are proud to have her on board.”
Coega Development Corporation spokesperson Ayanda Vilakazi said the reason for establishing the Coega IDZ in the first place, “besides the need to attract investment so we can diversify the local and national industrial base, was to create jobs. We are proud to see this in action at FAW South Africa, and congratulate Thembisa on her new job.”
SAinfo reporter
