By: Tebogo Mokwena
South Africans should give small logistics companies a chance to grow by supporting their businesses and ordering more from them than from bigger companies, according to businessman Tondani Sikhau. This will not only create employment but will also grow the logistics sector. Sikhau also believes that small logistics companies should create an association for better coordination and business partnerships within the sector.
Sikhau’s logistics company In N Out Logistix operates in Gauteng and other parts of the country. He told Vutivi News that supporting smaller logistics companies would give them the chance to tap into the e-commerce industry. More and more South Africans were in need of reliable logistics companies to transport their products, and smaller businesses were perfectly positioned to provide that service, he said. All that was needed was for South Africans to trust smaller companies.
His company has been operating since 2021 and was officially registered in 2022. He serves small businesses and clients in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, and the North West. The company employs 11 contractual workers and some of them use their own cars. Sikhau, who studied financial analysis and project management, said that he wanted to deliver in other provinces, and associating with other drivers would not only allow that but would also give other drivers business.
“If I want to transport something to the Western Cape, for example, and it is too far for me, I can connect with a driver in that area and deliver the parcel halfway,” he said. “That way we can share profits.” Sikhau also believes that an association would help them combat crime and reduce hijackings. He noted that sometimes small business vehicles were hijacked under the pretext of delivering a parcel. “Having an association will give us the platform where companies and drivers from other provinces can share information on the safest routes to take and the most dangerous areas to avoid,” he said.
Sikhau’s business not only delivers for businesses but also operates as a food delivery service. It does deliveries for Manenzhe Trading Enterprise, a restaurant that is based in Centurion in Tshwane. His next plan is to expand his business to rural areas. “Rural areas are not exposed to courier services, and it is important that they too are exposed to such companies,” he said.
