Female entrepreneur drives change in Ekangala
Female entrepreneur drives change in Ekangala
It’s Women’s Month – and there’s no better time to shine a spotlight on transport’s leading ladies. Nomathemba Selesho, owner of Themba Liyeza Logistics, is one such woman. TERRENA RATHANLALL paid her a visit.
Like thousands of other young people in Ekangala, Bronkhorstspruit, Nomathemba Selesho had few job prospects when she finished school. So, she studied accounting sciences and found a job at a local bank. She gave all that up, however, when the entrepreneurial bug bit and she realised she wanted more for herself and her family.
Selesho was inspired by her father, who started his career as a truck driver and then bought a second-hand truck to support their family of 10. “Growing up, I looked up to my father, who was the mechanic and driver of his own truck. I saw how he struggled, and I knew there was a better way to grow and build a more sustainable trucking business. It helped that he believed in me,” she says.
Navigating poor infrastructure and resources to make an impact
Starting Themba Liyeza Logistics was a leap of faith. Selesho took out a loan, used her savings, and borrowed money from her family to buy her first truck and trailer. “The main challenges were raising capital and managing fuel costs, but with my family’s support, we managed to get through,” she says.
Dealing with the township’s poor infrastructure and limited resources was tough at first. Inadequate maintenance of public roads, limited access to reliable transportation, inadequate communication networks, and unreliable utilities such as electricity and water all hindered business operations and increased operating costs.
Now, Themba Liyeza Logistics is more than a business in Ekangala; it’s a pillar of hope for the local community. By employing local drivers, mechanics, safety officers, and admin personnel, Selesho directly contributes to reducing unemployment in the area. “Our priority is uplifting the local economy,” Selesho explains. “We also support other local enterprises by buying tyres, utilising truck wash services, and engaging local branding services, thereby reinforcing the community’s economic fabric.”
Since its inception, Themba Liyeza Logistics has created 18 job opportunities, significantly impacting the local unemployment rate. In an area where youth unemployment is particularly high at over 50%, this business is a crucial source of employment and skills development.
Inspiring female entrepreneurship
Operating in a male-dominated industry, Selesho has faced significant opposition. She has been turned away from numerous opportunities simply because key decision makers did not believe she deserved them. “Securing contracts is challenging because there are a lot of gatekeepers along the way. It also feels like I am not taken seriously,” she admits.
Ironically, it is her gender that makes her stand out; it gives her the drive to improve her business, create a legacy for her children, implement proper systems and processes, and ensure that her business is fully compliant. This attention to detail is an inspiration to other women in Ekangala, showing the next generation of female entrepreneurs that with determination and support, barriers can be overcome.
Vision for growth
Selesho is now pursuing opportunities to expand Themba Liyeza Logistics into various industries, such as food and beverages, retail, and other commodities like cement and fuel. “We want to empower young entrepreneurs in the logistics space, provide consultation services to those entering the market, and create more jobs,” she emphasises.
Selesho’s resilience and relentless pursuit of her dreams are driving change in Ekangala, and she is inspiring future generations of entrepreneurs to do the same. Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs? Plan meticulously, save funds, and ensure compliance to thrive in the logistics space.
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