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SUCCESS: Elvis Sithagu, co-owner of two BP filiing stations on the East Rand, started out as a petrol attendant 12 years ago.Photo: Vathiswa Ruselo

The BP filling stations are situated in Rabie Ridge and Ebony Park.

Sithagu said he started dreaming about owning a filling station while he was still in high school.

But he thought the dream would never materialise due to a lack of capital. His background as a boy from a destitute family in a rural area did not spark any hope.

Since his family had no other breadwinner, he helped sustain his siblings and mother by selling snacks at school.

"My financial situation was so tough that I wanted to drop out of high school. But my principal discouraged me from doing that," he said.

When he came to Johannesburg in search of a job his matric qualification helped Sithagu gain entry to a school for petrol attendants.

He said he finished the course as best performer in the class but could not get his certificate because he could not pay outstanding fees.

So he missed out on a recruitment programme the school ran.

When he finally secured a job in 1999 as a petrol attendant in Johannesburg, after nine months of unemployment, his life changed for the better.

Eleven months later he was promoted to cashier at the filling station.

A year later he secured a job at a filling station in Kensington, Johannesburg, as a cashier.

In 2002 he became cashier supervisor and continued to climb the ladder of success to become assistant manager of the filling station in 2003.

In 2006 he was appointed site manager at the filling station.

Sithagu said business opportunities started presenting themselves when he held senior positions.

"People started expressing a wish to invest in filling stations, partnering with me and giving me equity," he said.

In 2007 BP advertised an offer for a site in Rabie Ridge. He and three experienced filling station owners clinched the contract and obtained a bank loan. Their consortium also won a contract for the Ebony Park BP filling station.

Though the filling station started operating in August it was officially launched last week.

Sithagu said his aim was to grow his business while motivating his employees to follow in his footsteps.

- sibanyonim@sowetan.co.za

Comments

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Fri May 24 21:24:50 SAST 2013 ::

Dec 20, 2012

MommaC

What a lovely story. Hard work and dreams leading to success. Just goes to show what someone can do with a bit of good, old fashioned ethics
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Dec 20, 2012

swona

at times Rabie Ridge filling station is negleted, I like the Ebony one next to the busy corner, I saw it last month for the 1st time i went wow, never been to that place in a long time.
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Dec 20, 2012

Lizo

Wow very interesting story hey , m so inspired everything is possible with God.

Never stop dreaming ,& pursue your dream....!!
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Dec 20, 2012

The-Vince

Ja, am impressed, and challeged too, well am gonna copy the contents of this article and paste it on my wall, so I can be reminded that all the business ideas I have are possible to manifest, I need to change my ways, and focus on doing something for myself and in turn help someone put food on the table.
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Dec 20, 2012

vuyi1985

good for you my brother you worked your way up , un like those who get every thing on a silver platter and fail like Zuma sons!
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Dec 20, 2012

oldlady12

Lovely article. Inspiring. Printing this one and passing it on to all young people I know. Well done Mr Sithangu, and may you help many more hard working young people in the years to come to achieve their dreams.
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Dec 20, 2012

Papage

Can we have this kinds of stories everyday Mr Editor, search for those people who will inspire our youth. We so much need these refreshing stories, we are tired of youth who rape their mothers.

Congradulations and good luck Owner/Manager
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Dec 20, 2012

Lephene

Wow after all the stress i got from mangaung with corrupt leeaders fot elected,i am so delighted to hear this positive and very constructive story.I dedicate this story to all the Matriculants who will not make it come 3 January 2013.There's more to life than just sitting down and sulk for not having a Job.
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Dec 20, 2012

Lephene

Wow after all the stress i got from mangaung with corrupt leeaders being elected,i am so delighted to hear this positive and very constructive story.I dedicate this story to all the Matriculants who will not make it come 3 January 2013.There's more to life than just sitting down and sulk for not having a Job.
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Dec 20, 2012

Britata

can u date me?i need a rich man...ndi mu Venda and beautiful
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