Mohalenyane Phakela
LEROTHOLI Polytechnic SECH Department and Alliance Insurance have partnered with motoring enthusiast Relebohile Tlali for a basic motor maintenance excursion next month.
Penned in for 1 September at Green City in Ha Penapena in Maseru, the event will offer skills for women to handle minor vehicle problems to ensure they running to mechanics each time they have a problem.
Organisers of the event said the participants are expected to come dressed in overalls.
Tlali said women often fall victim to mechanics whenever their cars give them problems even when the problems are minor and they can handle them easily without the need for assistance. She said some women even fail to heed warning signs which their cars show them because they fail to understand the meaning of the signs.
She said participants would be taught how to change tyres, knowing when to replace brake pads, reading warning signals and when to refill oils and water.
“Women are short of skills to attend to minor car problems and tend to call mechanics who charge them ridiculous prices,” Tlali said.
“For instance, one may get a puncture and has to wait for roadside assistance which costs money and may even take a long time to arrive. That also puts a woman at risk of being mugged since at times the assistance will only arrive when it is already dark.
“Lerotholi Polytechnic will facilitate the workshop on how to change tyres, check water and oil levels daily, read warning signs on which parts need to be replaced and being security cautious. On the other hand, Alliance Insurance will speak on the importance of insuring a car as we mostly see the need after a problem has occurred.”
Tlali said women often incur unnecessary costs when mechanics tell them that certain parts need replacement or they have in fact replaced when they have not replaced. She said some have been made to buy scrap car parts because of lack of knowledge.
She said in some instances the women are also overcharged for spare parts which cost far less.
Tlali indicated that they intend to host the event annually while women who bring their cars to the event will get free diagnostic tests.
