Ayanda Mtetwa, Senior Strategist at Motor Accident Group, Transformation Leader and Non-Exec at Magals Training Academy.
With a career that spans technical mastery, entrepreneurship, and industry leadership, she has built a reputation as one of the rising voices of influence in the automotive sector. Her journey, which began as a teenage apprentice at BMW, reflects resilience, innovation, and a commitment to transformation. Today, she plays a pivotal role in advancing skills development, gender inclusivity, and industry growth in South Africa and across the region.
Ayanda’s transition into the auto body repair industry began under the mentorship of Marco Steenkamp at Mustang Auto Body Repairers, where she trained across all repair processes—stripping, painting, quality control, and final delivery. Beyond technical skills, she learned workflow management, costing, and quality assurance—knowledge that would prove vital in her leadership journey.
Growth at Motor Accident Group (MAG)
In 2022, Ayanda joined the Motor Accident Group (MAG), where she rose through roles in Marketing, Sales, Management, and Dealer Principal before advancing into senior executive leadership. Mentored by MAG’s founder and business advisor, John Magalhaes, a veteran with over four decades in the industry, she expanded her knowledge of the auto body repair value chain, including stakeholder engagement, insurer collaboration, operational efficiency, and strategic business alignment.
Industry Leadership
Recognized for her expertise and contributions, Ayanda was elected to national leadership within SAMBRA/RMI.
- Vice Chairperson (National Level): Representing the collective interests of auto body repairers in South Africa.
- Head of Transformation (National Level): Driving transformation, inclusivity, and skills development initiatives.
- Labor Committee Member: Engaging in labor negotiations with MIPCO and MISA, ensuring sustainable and fair workforce practices.
These positions reflect the trust placed in her by peers and stakeholders and her growing influence in shaping policy, standards, and industry growth. Ayanda’s vision extends beyond business success to developing the next generation of artisans. She recognizes the severe shortage of skilled tradespeople in South Africa, where many trained professionals emigrate, leaving gaps in disciplines such as panel beating, mechanical, diesel, and petrol trades.
Her contributions include:
- – Women Entrepreneurship Initiative – equipping women with the skills to run and manage auto body repair centers.
- Accredited Training & Repair Facility in Botswana – bridging skills gaps across borders.
- Collaboration with Rosslyn Automotive Plant – upskilling young women in electric and hybrid vehicle repair.
- Values, Admission, and Vision Foundation – a 1% CSI project focused on youth and education.
- Automotive Training Academy – launched in partnership with MERSETA, INSETA, Invest Africa. We Invest Africa.
Her work demonstrates a consistent commitment to empowerment, opportunity creation, and industry sustainability.
Ayanda’s long-term ambition is to be recognized as a leading figure in the automotive industry, serving on boards, shaping industry policy, and stepping into strategic positions such as Non-Executive CEO. Her career embodies perseverance, transformation, and impact. She has built her journey from the workshop floor to the executive boardroom and now seeks to break barriers, develop future leaders, and build a sustainable automotive ecosystem for South Africa and beyond.industry policy, and stepping into strategic positions such as Non-Executive CEO.
Her career embodies perseverance, transformation, and impact. She has built her journey from the workshop floor to the executive boardroom and now seeks to break barriers, develop future leaders, and build a sustainable automotive ecosystem for South Africa and beyond
