South Africa's leading Ford technician is preparing to take on an international field after successfully defending his national title in Ford South Africa's premier technical skills competition.
Brendon Jordaan of Eastern Cape Motors in Gqeberha was named Ford South Africa's Top Technician for 2026, making it the second consecutive year that he has claimed the honour. The achievement came during Ford South Africa's annual Service Engineering & Operations Skills Contest, hosted at the Ford Technical Training Centre in Silverton.
The competition brought together eight finalists selected from a network of 540 technicians working across Ford dealerships nationwide. Participants were tested on their technical expertise, diagnostic capabilities and ability to follow workshop procedures accurately while working under pressure.
Jordaan emerged as the overall winner, ahead of Stefan Van Der Merwe of Human Auto in Welkom, who finished second, while Noel Els of MMG Ford in Bethlehem secured third place.
In addition to earning R20 000 and the national title, Jordaan secured the opportunity to represent South Africa at Ford's International Markets Group Technician Skills Competition in Bangkok, Thailand, on 11 and 12 November. He previously competed internationally, achieving an impressive fourth-place finish among 10 regional contestants.
The contest was designed around real-world dealership scenarios, challenging competitors to diagnose faults and resolve customer concerns presented through detailed job cards. Technicians were required to follow Ford's approved diagnostic processes, analyse available information and determine the correct repair solutions.
Participants also had to explain the reasoning behind their diagnosis, with judges rewarding a structured and methodical approach to problem-solving rather than simply identifying the correct answer.
According to Kevin Heunis, Director of Service Engineering & Operations at Ford South Africa, highly skilled technicians remain essential to delivering quality service and maintaining customer confidence.
The need for advanced technical expertise is growing as modern vehicles become increasingly complex, incorporating sophisticated electronics, software-driven systems, connectivity features and advanced driver-assistance technologies.
Neale Hill, President of Ford Motor Company Africa, said technicians play a critical role throughout the ownership journey by helping customers keep their vehicles operating safely and efficiently.
Ford also used the event to inspire the next generation of technicians. Eight apprentices from the company's Automotive Technician Apprentice Scholarship Programme attended the competition as observers, gaining insight into the standards and skills expected within the industry.
The three-year programme combines the merSETA apprenticeship pathway with specialised Ford technical training and practical dealership experience. A new intake of apprentices is scheduled to begin in 2027 as Ford continues investing in future technical talent.
