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SUCCESS STORIES



























                                                              Thandi Ngxongo


                                                              Leading in a male-dominated
                                                              industry

                                                              “I found out about the W&RSETA PetroConnect programme while
     Zama Ntongwa                                             doing my MBA and writing a thesis on petroleum retail focused on
                                                              the factors hindering the entry of black women into the industry.
     From property to fuel retail
                                                              “While on the programme, I applied for a BP fuel station site
     Zama is a construction management professional who has   and was fortunately approved. This is a very special project for
     spent 12  years in the property industry and was introduced   me because it was not only about the training but also about the
     to PetroConnect by a friend. She describes her journey at   support throughout and after the programme.
     PetroConnect as “the universe coming together for her.” She says
     at first she was reluctant to enrol for the programme but finally   “Although I have been in the petroleum industry for a long time, I
     gave in while she was on maternity leave.                was never exposed to the retail component of it. The programme
                                                              has helped me in terms of the value chain of running a petrol
     Two months after completing the programme, Zama applied for   station and I am now more confident to run my site. I have an
     a petrol station site with assistance from PetroConnect and was   appreciation for all the components of the business. The best part
     approved. Zama describes the programme as an eye-opener and   of my experiential training was interacting with customers at the
     believes you can do anything if you believe in it.       petrol pump.

                                                              “My future plan is to grow in the fuel industry and to purchase
                                                              more fuel station sites.
                                                              My advice to other women is, dream big, work towards it and
                                                              network with other women in the industry. If you have a dream,
                                                              match it with the right skills for it to materialise”.



                                                         Sbonelo Mbatha


                                                      Co-founder of PetroConnect
                                                      Co-founder of PetroConnect, Sbonelo Mbatha thanked the
                                                      W&RSETA for sharing in the vision and partnering to make
                                                      the programme possible.  For the company, the programme is
                                                      contributing towards reducing unemployment as the beneficiaries
                                                      of the programme will be able to appoint a minimum of 40
                                                      people per fuel station site.


                                                      We will share more success stories from the project in the next
                                                      edition of WholeSay.



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     W&RSETA | September 2021
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