The Southern African Institute of Welding (SAIW) 2025 Young Welder Challenge reached an exciting finale this week, shining a spotlight on the country’s most promising young welding talent and reaffirming the growing standard of excellence in local technical training.

Khulekane Bhembe of Bazil Technologies emerged as the overall winner, impressing judges across multiple categories with precision, consistency, and technical control. Bhembe also took home the Carbon Steel category title, solidifying his dominance in this year’s competition.

Second place went to Bongani Mkhwanazi, while Gaylon Peterson of Alstom Ubunye finished third overall, also securing victory in the Stainless Steel category. Mzwakhe Shangisa, also from Alstom Ubunye, won the Aluminium category, a section noted by judges for showing “some really beautiful welds” and marked improvement compared to previous years.

Raising the Bar for Technical Excellence

This year’s judging panel, namely Houston Isaacs of Lincoln Electric, and Thembinkosi Matyeka and Jonnie Holtzhausen from Abicor Binzel, praised the competitors’ dedication and skill. Matyeka, a welding veteran with 18 years of industry experience, highlighted the technical leap evident in 2025’s entries.

“The guys prepared well and the welds were clean. We saw some really beautiful welds on the aluminium side. There were small mistakes here and there, but to be quite honest, the standard has really improved.”

He added that the improvement wasn’t limited to a single material: “Compared to previous years, you can see the guys have been practicing. Especially on the stainless and aluminium, the quality of the welds has increased quite a bit.”

The judges also noted a trend toward more advanced techniques. “We could see some of the guys trying to weave with more technical welds coming through this year,” observed Holtzhausen, adding that it was clear the competitors were “taking the event more seriously every year.”

Beyond the Bead: Building Careers Through Welding

The SAIW Young Welder Challenge is more than a contest, it’s a launchpad. Former champion-turned-judge Houston Isaacs reflected on how the competition shaped his own career.

“At first, I thought welding was just about gates and burglar bars. But through this competition, I learned how it connects to power stations, petrochemical plants, transport vehicles and massive infrastructure projects. Winning gave me the opportunity to grow technically and professionally, and now I can pass that on to the next generation.”

That mentorship “passing it on,” as Isaacs calls it, is a key part of SAIW’s mission. “A lot of people don’t realise how important the welding industry is,” he said. “Almost everything we use daily has been welded. For young people, especially those who prefer working with their hands, welding can open real career doors. It’s a way to build something for yourself and your family.”

Recognition from SAIW Leadership

SAIW Executive Director Vicus Burger praised both the participants and the training ecosystem that supports them: “The level of talent we’ve seen this year is a clear reflection of the hard work being done by our training institutions and industry partners,” Burger said. “These young welders are the future of South Africa’s fabrication and manufacturing sectors. Their commitment, creativity, and discipline make us proud.”

Training Manager Confidence Lekoane echoed that sentiment, emphasizing how the competition aligns with SAIW’s long-term vision. “Our annual Welding Challenge is not just about who wins, it’s about preparing a new generation of skilled professionals who can compete globally,” Lekoane said. “Every year, the quality improves, and every year, we see more young people realising that welding is a career with real prospects.”

A Bright Future for South African Welding

As the sparks settle on this year’s competition, one message is clear: South Africa’s welding talent pool is deepening, and fast. The SAIW 2025 Young Welder Challenge showcased not only technical skill but also the drive, discipline, and passion that define world-class craftsmanship.

For winners like Khulekane Bhembe, the journey is just beginning, but for the industry, this year’s event is proof that the next generation of welders is ready to take the torch and keep the flame burning bright.