By: Tebogo Mokwena
Annah Ngxeketo saw that her father’s logistics business never reached its full potential and decided to do things differently when she opened her transport business. She did this by focusing on building a proper maintenance system, training drivers, and building networks in different sectors. Ngxeketo has two logistics companies, Concentrate Carriers and Mamoja Trading and Projects. Both operate in the mining sector transporting platinum, concentrate, and chemicals for mines. Concentrate Carriers was founded by Ngxeketo and her partners in 2008 and Mamoja Trading and Projects was established in 2015 in the mining community of Marikana in the North West.
Ngxeketo’s interest in transport goes all the way back to her childhood as both her father and grandfather had transport businesses. She saw how her father had many struggles in his business, which ultimately led to its failure. His truck broke down a lot because it was not properly maintained. He also bought a low-quality trailer which badly affected his business. So Ngxeketo ensured that she implemented a proper maintenance system for the business’ trucks and vehicles, and spent money buying quality vehicles.
She also invested in providing training for her drivers and equipping them with codes 10 and 14 driver’s licenses. This, she said, cemented the business’ reputation as a reliable logistics company, and as a result, they have done extensive work for companies such as Sibanye Stillwater, Glencore, and Crocodile River Mine. “I also made sure to build strong networks and work with other companies when the need for collaboration arises,” she said. “I learned that a lot of businesses fail because they are afraid of doing collaborations with other businesses.”
Ngxeketo told Vutivi News that she started Mamoja Trading and Projects because she wanted to expand her horizons. She recalled differences that arose between the co-founders that made it difficult for her to continue working with them as passionately as she used to. Ngxeketo was singled out in the company because she was a woman, despite being the only one with knowledge of the transport sector. The company transports platinum concentrate in slurry form, and also leases dry bulk tankers, tippers and flat deck trailers.
Both companies have a combined workforce of over 30 employees. Ngxeketo said her aim was to continue providing opportunities for women. “We… have a programme called the A re Direng Mmogo where we train women and the youth in code 10 and 14 driving, and we give them in-house training as well. “Once they obtain their licenses, we also give them work opportunities by employing them on a contract basis,” she said. Mamoja has donated uniforms to schools in the North West and has partnered with the Imbumba Foundation Trust’s Caring for Girls Programme.
