The project, which involved five artists, three sprayers, and one assembler, took a total of 650 hours and 35-litres of automotive paint to complete. While the South African flag stretches from below the grille to the rear of the double cab cabin, the sides and the rear of the vehicle were adorned with traditional art. The tailgate featured Ndebele tribal art alongside a South African map which pointed out Ford production plants in Gauteng and the Eastern Cape. On both sides of the vehicle, the team incorporated cultural artefacts such as the national flower, the protea and ancient San rock art, to popular animals such as the lifelike Zebras painted by Tebogo Mohlala.
“It is a great privilege to be part of the team that worked on this incredible project, and delivering a product that every Ford employee from every cultural background can be proud of,” Queeneth Buthelezi, project leader. “What stands out for me about this project is how it merges South Africa’s various cultural and heritage symbols and artefacts into one cohesive unit, just like how Ford brings together people from different backgrounds who work towards one common goal,” Wiseman Mngadi.
“The project was a great learning experience for me, and an opportunity to demonstrate my skills. It validates my ability and competence as a woman in the automotive industry.” Alana Jansen. “David Serithi and Given Manzini did the spray work on the flag. The final process, which requires three layers of clear coat with some preparation in between, followed by two hours of baking for each layer, was done by Daniel Malinga, while Ben Manala was responsible for reassembling the vehicle. The result is fantastic, and there is no question that we have exceptional talent in our team,” Johan Fourie, Paint Shop Area Manager.
“I was awestruck when I saw what the employees at Ford’s Paint Shop had achieved with this project, I am glad that we were able to play a part in turning into a splendid reality the vision that the team had for this project,” Carl Buchling, Technical Site Manager, Axalta Coating Systems South Africa, who donated the paint.
“I don’t think Henry Ford – who once famously said: ‘Any customer can have a car painted any colour that he wants so long as it is black’ – could ever, in his wildest dreams, have pictured how incredible all these colours on just one vehicle would be! But we have no doubt that he would be immensely pleased with what we have achieved. This very special Heritage Ranger is built for South Africans, by South Africans; it is both a tribute to Ford’s proud 96-year manufacturing history locally, as well as a fitting representation of our nation’s rich heritage and diversity,” Ockert Berry, VP Operations, Ford Middle East and Africa.
