SINCE the age of 10, his dream has been to design and build a car.
Now Mokgadi Machaba (20) from Ga-Rammutla Village outside Bochum in Limpopo has finally created his own vehicle.
The Tlou-Matome Secondary School grade 10 pupil told Daily Sun he was proud of himself.
“I kept my focus and never looked at my disadvantaged background or gave up on my dreams,” he said.
Mokgadi is doin maths and physical science, which are compulsory to study mechanical engineering. “I spent a lot of time at the scrapyard to learn about designing cars. I spent about R5 000 for the material used on this car.”
He bought a motorbike gearbox and used an electric engine.
“When it breaks, I can fix it. The dashboard and seats come from an old BMW and the wheels cost R60.”
He used his mum’s donkey cart to sell firewood. “My neighbour is a welder so I helped him for free so I could borrow his welding machine.”
Mum Mmaselaelo Machaba (67) said at first she didn’t understand what he wanted to do. “I helped where I could. I’m alone and only have a social grant, but gave him money when I could. When he completed his car in August , he took it to school to show his teachers. On Sundays he gives me a lift to church.”