High quality ensured by close links to production.

Ms Zaga, the production of the new C-Class started at the Mercedes-Benz plant in East London, South Africa, in summer 2021. What are the challenges?

In the start-up phase for the production of the new model, we naturally have a close look on every detail. To ensure that everything works perfectly in the vehicles we deliver to our customers, there can be made no mistakes in the many complex production steps. My team is responsible for the quality assurance of the electronic assemblies. The first vehicles we produce here in East London in the initial phase are therefore being tested right down to the smallest detail. If there is a problem, we will find a solution. By the way, please feel free to call me Abulele (laughs).

Thank you, Abulele. How do you and your team go about finding solutions?

The first step is to find out why a certain issue arises. It is like detective work and I learn something new every day - it's very exciting. I often work very closely with the colleagues who build our vehicles in the plant. Thanks to their experience, they frequently provide the decisive clue. For me, it is therefore important to be very close to the production line and to exchange ideas with the teams on site.

How would you describe your team?

Very dynamic and diverse. There are 50 of us, all from very different disciplines. We have a great team spirit and also a lot of fun at work - and are almost like one big family. What makes us special is that we are a good mix of experienced team members and younger colleagues who come straight from university. We learn a lot from each other. By the way, when I started in the team, I was the youngest.

How did you actually come to join the company?

That was right after I graduated. I studied electrical engineering not far from here, in Butterworth, and discovered that Mercedes-Benz offers a trainee programme in East London. I applied and was invited to an interview. When I arrived at the plant, I was totally thrilled: the state-of-the-art facilities, the atmosphere. There are luxurious vehicles on display in the reception building. I said to myself: this is the company you want to work for. Of course, that motivated me even more for the assessment centre (laughs).

What was the trainee programme like for you?

A really good start for my career. A lot of things were new because I came straight from university and had no experience in the automotive industry. I then started in quality assurance in electronics assembly, with a colleague working alongside me. That helped me a lot, especially in the beginning. Trainees really get a lot of support, in terms of their personal development too.

What do you mean by that exactly?

I had regular meetings with my team leader and my supervisor. We discussed what my goals and strengths were and where I could improve. I then received further training and coaching to support that process. The company has given me the opportunity to forward my personal career from the very beginning. That is really special here in the company.

And what do you plan to do next?

I would like to reach next steps in my career, develop as a manager and lead my own team one day. My line manager is very supportive about this. I also quite like the idea of an international position. For example, I would like to work on the development of the future mobility at the company's headquarters in Stuttgart, like other colleagues from South Africa, who came to Stuttgart. That is why I am currently learning German, which is really enjoyable, but very challenging (laughs).