Michanic founders, Lesetja Dikgale and Thabelo Mulelu.
Image: Supplied.
What began as frustration over delayed vehicle repairs has evolved into a rapidly growing South African automotive business determined to change how consumers experience car care.
Lesetja Dikgale, founder of Michanic, told Business Report that he did not initially set out to become an entrepreneur. Instead, he simply wanted his car repaired honestly and on time.
Back in 2015, Dikgale found himself repeatedly visiting a repair workshop only to discover that no work was being done on his vehicle.
“Every time I went to visit them, they were not even working on my car,” he recalled.
“And I needed it as soon as possible.”
Frustrated by the lack of urgency and transparency, Dikgale removed his car from the workshop and arranged for a mechanic to repair it at his home. The experience proved to be a turning point.
“I could see he was working on my car, I could see what parts he was changing. For me, that was more honest than just being at the shop, being blindsided by repairs and expenses,” he said.
That moment sparked the idea for a mobile mechanic service.
Dikgale registered a business called Car Care Click, built a simple website using a template on his laptop, designed a logo in the Microsoft App, Paint, and launched a low cost online advertisement.
The response was immediate.
“Within 10 minutes of launching, we got our first customer,” he said.
“That was exciting, but also daunting, because there were no processes yet for how to do any of the administration.”
Recognising the need for stronger systems, Dikgale temporarily shut the business down and partnered with a software engineer friend, Thabelo Mulelu to rebuild the platform properly.
Together the two became the co founders of Michanic.
In 2019, the company rebranded as Michanic after concerns that the original name sounded too similar to a competitor.
As the business expanded, operational challenges soon emerged.
“We were good at building systems and business processes,” said Dikgale.
“But the finance and accounting side, that’s where we needed support.”
The business later connected with Anglo American Impact Finance Network through a delivery partner.
The programme, launched in 2021, supports small businesses across countries including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia by helping them become investment ready and connect with potential investors.
Dikgale said the technical assistance programme proved transformational for the business.
“Their technical assistance programme changed my business’s trajectory,” he said.
Over a two month period in 2024, the IFN team worked closely with Michanic to rebuild its financial model into one designed for scalability and investor readiness. The programme also provided access to networking opportunities with investors.
Dikgale described the annual Johannesburg InvestFest gathering as a major breakthrough for the business.
“It’s a room where the right conversation at the right moment can smooth months of fundraising effort,” he said.
Emma Parker, Sustainable and Impact Finance Manager at Anglo American, said Michanic already had the foundations of a strong business and simply needed strategic support to attract investment.
“Dikgale had a strong business, a clear model and real growth ahead of him. What he needed was targeted support to make that opportunity legible to investors,” said Parker.
“That is precisely what the IFN’s technical assistance is designed to do.”
Today, Michanic operates across five provinces and employs 21 full time staff members along with 60 contractors.
Dikgale’s ambitions for the business remain significant.
“When people think car repair, I want them to think Michanic, the way people used to say AA,” he said.
Today, Michanic operates across five provinces and employs 21 full time staff members along with 60 contractors.
Image: Supplied.
He also hopes the company can help inspire more young people to enter the automotive trade sector.
“I want to make the trade itself cool again, drawing young people into a profession that pays well and has space for more,” he said.
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