Page 3 - KZN Business Sense 8.6

DREAMS COME TRUE IF

YOU PERSIST

ob Shongwe, the CEO of Ebuhleni Primary School. the Dean’s List in his first year adapt to change. “When I want In addition, he says that he is
Sandock Austral Energy, Shongwe then attended high of university. something, I focus on achieving motivated by Black Coffee (Music
Ris a born and determined school at Highveld Comprehensive it,” he said. Producer, DJ and businessman);
entrepreneur who has always High School, located in a village His call to volunteering and his business partners; Sandock
been strongly led by the desire to close by - Aremberg. giving back to the community In 2021 Shongwe graduated Austral’s Executive Chairman Dr
innovate in order to uplift other resulted in him, among other from Wits Business School with Mthobisi Clyde Zondi, Group CEO
people. Of his motivation to succeed programmes, working in the an MBA – his research focus was Prasheen Maharaj; and Jay Z.
Shongwe says, “I have been blessed Kaosane NGO, a non-profit on energy analytics.
Sandock Austral Energy is the with a strong entrepreneurial organisation in Secunda, to assist In advising others he says that
latest offering of the Sandock spirt, which was modelled on the learners to achieve results that Apart from Sandock Austral one must be true to one’s self, be
Austral Group of companies. example of my mother.” As a child would allow them to participate in Energy, Shongwe is involved in a positive and embrace simplicity.
Speaking about the company, he sold sweets, snacks, ice cream tertiary education. number of business enterprises He commented, “It’s important to
Shongwe explained, “Sandock and other items at school. with other people, which include look up to someone who can guide
Austral Energy seeks to provide Shongwe’s career journey has an investment stokvel, property you. You don’t have to get set on
bespoke energy solutions in In his matric year in 2005, had a number of challenges, investment, pre-teens toiletries ideas. You need to collaborate with
line with global and local Shongwe made it to the top ten which included an ineffective and IT consulting. His goal is others to get things done. Dreams
sustainability priorities. It learners in the Mpumalanga training programme for to uplift other entrepreneurs come true if you persist and work
places particular attention on Province with a total of five higher engineers. He commented so that they can participate in on them every day.”
the development of greener and grade As and two Bs. Of note he that he proudly became part of economic activity that will make
renewable energy technologies and received an A in both higher grade the solution by coaching and a difference in their lives. As Shongwe did not have
solutions, therefore contributing Mathematics and Physical Science mentoring engineering interns “I have big dreams and a mentor himself during his
to the nation’s socially and despite not having any higher when he himself was a junior ambitions. In the future I would internship, he is currently
environmentally conscious grade teachers for these subjects engineer. Other frustrations like to build a bank that is built on involved with The Mentorship
economic growth agenda.” and having to teach himself the he experienced, as a corporate a social entrepreneurship model Challenge involving three young
subject matter. professional, included the lack of professionals. He says, ‘I didn’t
Among other projects, the growth opportunities within a that will focus on the unbanked,” have a mentor for guidance along
company is amid manufacturing Due to his own lack of teachers, corporate organisation. he commented. my junior journey and I want to
a lithium-ion battery energy he was motivated to help other Shongwe’s leadership style help others on their journeys.”
storage in Durban for residential, learners at his school achieve. He also commented that there is situational as he changes
industrial and utilities, using its Consequently, he and some friends was a general lack of access to his method to address the In order to disconnect
intellectual property in battery cofounded an evening school to funding for young entrepreneurs. circumstances with which he Shongwe is keen on jogging and
energy storage systems (BESS). assist fellow learners with their However, Shongwe believes is faced. “I am a servant leader likes to hike as he enjoys the
homework and subject matter. outdoors. He is passionate about
“These are the first indigenous that his continued success is mostly, and I bring water to the cooking and baking which he
batteries in South Africa. We Shongwe went to Wits attributable to the strong support team, this is only under steady sees as a creative process.
own the intellectual property University in 2006 to study for structure, with the greatest conditions,” he explains. “I
and we will put Durban on the a Bachelor’s of Science degree in support from his wife, his family can be a coach, collaborative In conclusion, Shongwe says
map because of this initiative,” Electrical Engineering. Of his and friends. In addition, he is an or if necessary – authoritarian that his motto to live by is: “If
Shongwe commented. study selection he commented, ambitious person who is driven especially if there are deadlines the dream is big enough, the
“In 2005 when I was in Matric, to persevere and persist. “I at stake.” facts don’t count.” (Cynthia-
Shongwe previously occupied I found the most challenging believe in working smart rather Stewart Copier) 
the position of Head of Portfolio course in the Wits brochure and than working hard and in taking Speaking of who inspires him
Project Management Office for the I went for it… I did electrical calculated risks,” he explained. he says he inspired by his mom W: www.sda.co.za
Sandock Austral Group, where he engineering because I wanted to to always do better. He also
was responsible for strategy and come up with an innovative way However, his determination to commented, “I am inspired my
projects execution. to generate electricity, which was succeed is also apparent in his two sons, they are three years
old and ten months old. I want
willingness to learn and he is
He grew up in Mpumalanga not coal fired.” not afraid of asking questions to build a legacy that they will
Province at a village called Shongwe’s drive to succeed was when he does not understand always be in their memories
Mooiplaas where he attended apparent in that he made it to something and is able to quickly about their father.”

Rob Shongwe, CEO, Sandock Austral Energy

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