Part of our Women’s Month series featuring Chané Nel
Chané has spent eight years in the tyre industry, and her path into it started with something simple: she liked working with people, and she liked solving their problems. “As I gained more knowledge and experience, I took on additional responsibilities and developed my leadership skills,” she says. “Managing a tyre store became a natural progression, allowing me to combine customer service, business management and team development.”
Ask her team what they’d say about her, and Chané doesn’t hesitate: approachable, hardworking, and fair. “I lead by example and am always willing to help when needed. I set high standards but also support my team to achieve them. I believe in open communication, accountability, and celebrating successes together.”
That balance — high standards paired with real support — shows up again when Chané talks about customers’ reactions to a woman running the branch. “Occasionally, customers are surprised to find that the branch manager is a woman, especially in a traditionally male-dominated industry,” she says. “However, once they experience professional service and technical knowledge, those perceptions quickly disappear.” It’s a pattern that keeps showing up across the women in this series: the surprise never survives first contact with the work.
What does she love most about the job? Her team, and the relationships she builds with customers. “It’s rewarding to help customers knowing their vehicles are safe, and to watch team members grow in confidence and skills,” she says. She’s equally driven by the sharper edge of the role — the challenge of hitting targets while keeping service standards high.
Her advice for a young woman weighing up this industry is direct: don’t let the reputation put you off. “Don’t let the fact that it’s traditionally a male-dominated industry discourage you. Be willing to learn, ask questions, work hard, and believe in your abilities. Confidence comes with knowledge and experience. If you’re passionate, committed, and willing to put in the effort, there are excellent opportunities for growth and success in the tyre industry.”
South Africa celebrates Women’s Month every August in memory of the 1956 Women’s March on 9th August. On that day, over 20 000 women marched to the Union Buildings to protest the extension of Pass Laws and the Urban Areas Act.