Our story
Started in 2019, built on craft
Unique Auto Panel & Paint was founded in 2019 by Mika Heeraman — aged 26 — mentored by her father, a spray painter before her. What began as one determined founder is today an accredited body shop trusted with everything from insurance repairs to full classic restorations.
Photo above is an illustrative stock image, not a photograph of the owner or premises.
Accredited, resilient, founder-led
The shop is RMI Major Structural approved and a SAMBRA member, and it works with all major insurers — the accreditations that matter when a repair has to be right the first time. Mika is recognised in the trade press as among the youngest female structural-approved repairers in South Africa.
The business came through a hard stretch — Covid-19, the 2021 KwaZulu-Natal unrest, and the 2021 floods — and kept going, then expanded into larger premises with upgraded equipment. It's female and youth owned, and Mika remains the face of the shop and its work.
Alongside mainstream accident and insurance work, the shop has a genuine specialism in classic and vintage car restoration — the kind of long, high-value project that only goes to a shop you trust.
2019
Founded by Mika Heeraman, aged 26.
RMI
Major Structural approved repairer.
SAMBRA
Member of the South African Motor Body Repairers' Association.
Insurers
Works with all major insurers.
In the press
Recognised by the industry & media
Independent coverage of the shop and its founder. Each link opens the original article.
- 2023The Citizen — “Women brings unique passion to the motor industry.” Read the article
- 2023IOL Motoring — “Women in the motor industry: Passion drives her love for auto body repair.” Read the article
- 2023FANews — “Women in the motor industry: Passion drives her love for auto body repair.” Read the article
- 2021–23AutoForum — “Young motor industry survivor.” Read the article
- 2021–23SAMBRA — “Young motor industry survivor conquers catastrophes and gender bias” (Women’s Month feature). Read the article
Work with us
Trust your car to an accredited shop.
Accident, insurance, respray or restoration — talk to us about your vehicle.