Each month we profile the many different people of Ford, getting to know our colleagues in and out of the office. This month we’re in conversation with Caiphus Ntuli, Safety Technician, Silverton Assembly Plant.
Who is Caiphus? Tell us more about yourself.
I was born in Mpumalanga in a village called Ngodwana near Mbombela. I completed my primary education in that village in the late 80s and later moved to another village called Kromdraai, situated between Carolina and Barberton, to live with my grandmother and completed my secondary education there. I am happily married to Queen Chauke, who is from Mamelodi and we are blessed with three beautiful daughters, aged 17, 12, and 6. These four incredible people bring immense joy and purpose to my life.
How have your roots and the community you grew up in shaped your character and the way you approach life?
Growing up in a village is never easy because there are very few resources to help prepare or shape a future for the youth. From a young age, I learned that you have to work a little bit harder to get ahead. During school holidays, my friends and I would look for temporary jobs at nearby supermarkets to buy the things we needed for school. We also used to make toy cars out of wire and sell them. That upbringing taught me to take responsibility for my own life. It showed me that I shouldn't expect anything to be handed to me on a silver platter, but rather to go out, work hard, and grab every opportunity that comes my way with both hands.
When did you start working at Ford, and what has your career journey within the company looked like so far?
I began my journey with Ford in 2005 as an operator in the Bodyshop. Back then, we were building the Ford Focus, Bantam, Ikon, Mazda Drifter, Mazda 3, and Volvo. In those days, many of the tasks and processes in the Bodyshop were manual and physically demanding.
When I look at our state-of-the-art facility today and compare it to what we had when I first joined, I see an incredible transformation. It shows me that as Ford South Africa, we have what it takes to produce world-class vehicles and compete proudly on a global stage.
What has driven your commitment and passion for your specific role or department within the automotive industry?
Over the years, I have worked as an operator, a CO2 welder, in quality buy-off, an assistant team leader, and eventually transitioned into the Safety Department. I am committed to continuous learning and diverse, hands-on experiences, choosing growth and adaptability over remaining in a single routine for decades. Whenever I drive on the streets and see car carriers loaded with Ford Rangers heading to our customers, I feel an immense sense of pride knowing, “Yes, we built those”. Plus, as I mentioned, I used to build toy cars from wire as a boy; in a way, I’m still building cars today, only now they are world-class Ford Rangers!
How has continuous learning, professional development, or further education supported you in carrying out your role?
When I first joined Ford, I only had my matric. Thanks to the Ford bursary program, I was able to study Safety Management part-time through UNISA and graduated in 2014. In October of that same year, I joined the Safety Department as a Risk Assessor, and by 2016, I progressed to become a Safety Technician.
Back then, we benefited from highly supportive leaders and managers who consistently encouraged us to leverage Ford's bursary programs to prepare ourselves for future opportunities. They reminded us that continuous education doesn't just help us grow as individuals, it also helps the company remain globally competitive. Wanting to close that tertiary education gap, I seized the opportunity, and it completely transformed my career path.
Balancing work, personal development, and family can be a challenge. How do you manage this balance, and how do you stay grounded and energised?
It is definitely a balancing act. During the week, I leave home early in the morning while my kids are still asleep, and I only see them in the late afternoon when they return from school. To make up for that lost time, we dedicate every evening to sitting down together and working on their schoolwork and projects with them, giving us the opportunity to be together. Then over the weekend, we make sure we spend quality, uninterrupted time together as a family.
Many of us had childhood hobbies or dreams that connect to what we do today. Did you have an early passion or hobby that hinted at the career path you eventually chose?
Yes, I did! Growing up, I dreamed of becoming a teacher. I had (and still have) immense respect for teachers, because every great career, profession, or job on this planet starts with a teacher. While my path didn't lead me to a traditional classroom, a significant part of my daily role in safety involves conducting safety inductions and training. In a way, I still get to live out that childhood dream of teaching and guiding others every single day.
Describe your perfect weekend—what are you doing and where?
I am a massive fan of soccer and athletics. On a perfect weekend, you will find me out watching a soccer match with my friends. If I'm not doing that, I love nothing more than staying home, relaxing, and spending quality, peaceful time with my wife and daughters.
What advice would you give to young people, especially those from challenging backgrounds, who aspire to build a career and make a difference?
My advice to the youth is that while it is important to have fun, you must spend more of your time doing things that will make a positive impact on your future. The decisions you make today will shape the life you live tomorrow. Never forget the words of Nelson Mandela: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”. Lastly, always love and respect your elders, it is a foundation of wisdom that will carry you far in life.