Unexpected opportunity to industry leader: Dineo Glomane builds engineering company from the ground up

ENTREPRENEURS

Dineo Glomane transformed an unexpected career path into a thriving automotive business that now services everything from passenger vehicles to heavy equipment while training future artisans.

Image: Supplied.

When Dineo Glomane first enrolled to pursue a career in engineering, she had no idea that a twist of fate would ultimately lead her into the automotive industry and lay the foundation for a thriving business.

Today, Glomane is the founder and director of Womech Mechanical Works Specialists, a Mpumalanga based workshop that services everything from passenger vehicles and commercial fleets to heavy earth moving equipment. The business has built a reputation for technical excellence, customer trust and a commitment to developing the next generation of artisans.

Yet the journey began with an unexpected change in direction.

Growing up, Glomane dreamed of becoming an engineer and initially studied Electrical Engineering, specialising in light current systems, radio and television.

After completing her N6 qualification, she secured a bursary that she believed would further her studies in electrical engineering. Instead, she discovered she had been enrolled in an Auto Electrical Engineering programme.

"At first, my sister, who also enrolled with me, and I knew very little about the field and even considered leaving, but circumstances encouraged us to stay," Glomane said.

"We made a conscious decision to embrace the opportunity, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions of our lives. Through our training and apprenticeships, we developed a genuine passion for the automotive industry and never looked back."

That passion would eventually shape a career spanning some of South Africa's leading organisations before she ventured into entrepreneurship.

Working in a sector traditionally dominated by men came with its own challenges.

What began as a bold vision between two sisters has grown into a respected workshop in Mpumalanga, with national expansion and skills development at the heart of its future.

Image: Supplied.

"The biggest challenge was overcoming the perception that women could not perform at the same level as men," she said.

"We often faced intimidation and had to work twice as hard to prove ourselves. However, those challenges strengthened our determination and pushed us to develop the skills, confidence and resilience that have contributed to our success today."

Throughout her career, Glomane learned one lesson that would become central to her entrepreneurial mindset.

"The greatest lesson I learned is to believe in yourself," she said.

"Working in a male dominated environment often made us question our own abilities, but over time I realised that confidence is critical to success."

The vision for Womech emerged from the complementary skills she and her sister had developed over the years. While Glomane qualified as an Auto Electrician, her sister became a Diesel Mechanic.

"Our different technical backgrounds became one of our greatest strengths," she said.

"Together, we possessed the skills needed to offer a comprehensive service to customers, which later became the foundation of Womech's integrated business model."

The sisters launched Womech Mechanical Works Specialists in 2017 after identifying a gap in the market while working in Secunda.

"There were very few black owned workshops in the area despite the town being strategically located near major mines and power stations," Glomane explained.

"We saw an opportunity to provide high quality mechanical and auto electrical services while creating a business that represented transformation within the industry."

Starting the business required determination and sacrifice.

Both sisters remained employed while using their salaries to fund the workshop's operations, pay rent and cover employee salaries.

"Every aspect of the business was self funded," Glomane said.

"It was challenging, but our commitment and belief in our vision kept us going. Today, we are proud of how far we have come and the fact that we own our facility."

Rather than relying heavily on advertising, Womech built its reputation through quality workmanship and customer satisfaction.

"At Womech, we believe that failure is not an option," she said.

"We take immense pride in our work and strive to deliver the highest level of service to every customer."

That approach has helped the business expand its capabilities from servicing passenger vehicles to handling complex repairs on trucks, buses and heavy equipment.

The company's integrated model, which combines mechanical and auto electrical services under one roof, has become one of its key differentiators.

"Many vehicle issues involve both mechanical and electrical components," Glomane said.

"By offering both services under one roof, customers avoid the inconvenience of moving their vehicles between different workshops. It saves time, improves efficiency and allows us to provide a complete solution."

Among the company's proudest achievements is its ability to weather difficult economic conditions and continue growing.

"One of our biggest milestones has been surviving and continuing to grow despite challenging economic conditions, including the Covid-19 pandemic," she said.

"Another major achievement has been acquiring our own premises."

Beyond business growth, Glomane remains deeply committed to skills development.

A qualified training officer herself, she has made mentorship and artisan development a central part of Womech's mission.

"Skills development allows us to give back to our community and support the next generation of artisans," she said.

"It is particularly important for young women entering the industry because we want to help them avoid some of the challenges we experienced and ensure they receive quality training and mentorship."

Each year, the company supports between 10 and 15 learners and apprentices through workplace exposure and experiential learning programmes.

Looking ahead, Glomane has ambitious plans for expansion.

"Our goal is to expand beyond Mpumalanga and establish a presence in provinces such as Gauteng and the Free State," she said.

The company is also targeting opportunities within the mining sector, which she believes offers significant growth potential given Womech's expertise and geographic location.

While the business continues to evolve, Glomane's long term vision extends beyond commercial success.

"The legacy I want to leave is simple: women can succeed in any industry they choose. I want Womech to inspire women to dream bigger, believe in themselves and never allow society's limitations to define their potential," she said.

Follow Business Report on Facebook, X and on LinkedIn for the latest Business and tech news.