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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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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Lizo

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

Never stop dreaming ,& pursue your dream....!!
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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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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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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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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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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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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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Britata

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

Good article***
You fought your way up other than those getting tenders ka nepotism and cronism associated with kickbacks..

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Voetzek

Now the madala will start to sleep with our children bragging that he has got money,im not trying to be jelousy here the guy worked his butt off
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MommaC

Voetzek

Does your entire thought process begin and end in your broeks?
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Shredder

@Britata - can u date me?i need a rich man...ndi mu Venda and beautiful
=========================================================
We just read an inspiring story of a hardworking man who worked his way to the top, now you want his success on your back.

Well done bro. We need people like you. Hard work and ethics are a way to go.
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Britata

shredder are u single?
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patsa

We must draw inspiration from the self-made black entrepreneur. The young people need to emulate Elvis Sithangu that your background should not dictate your destination rather your determination and patience can lead you far beyond your wildest dream. I am a firm believer that people should dream y big and align their actions with their dreams. The human nature encompasses lot of potential that need to be revealed and tapped into. You must refrain from accepting your current comfort as your final destination, rather challenge yourself and push harder. Explore new ways of doing things and be flexible in our approach. Do not be scared of failure because in it your learning and success lies. Also, many lessons can be drawn from the failures of others. When thinking big don’t limit your dream to South Africa but also thing about other markets in Africa, Asia, Latin America, an Eastern Europe. The ever changing world while present challenges but equally or even present opportunities. The global warming, high commodity prices, and rising electricity prices present man forms of opportunities. The ever changing demographics, people are moving away from rural areas to urban areas and cities. Both parents are working full time jobs in order to acquire sufficient income for families. Transportation and day cares opportunities abound for young aspiring entrepreneurs. We need to change our state of mind. We must be creators of employment as opposed to being job seekers. The failure of the labour market to clear stubbornly high unemployment of 25% calls for a different approach to expanded public works programs. The renewed focus to SME’s as the engine for economic growth and employment. All stake holders have a role to play if we want to make South Africa better for all. Owners of capital should support entrepreneurs. In South Africa it is easy to get capital for an expensive vehicle than capital for a new business venture which could create jobs for impoverish people in the country and reduce burden for government to support millions through grants.
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MommaC

Britata

Prostitution much?
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Britata

MommaC
get a life...or are u poor?
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Phathuza

This is stale , I saw this story on Daily Sun Last week copycat sowetan nxa
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oldlady12

Britata, too lazy to work?
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ONEE

Oportunist Britata with no dreams except prostitution seeking to sleep with successful men

work hard n b proud
next ni claimer ukuthi niya abuswa ngamadoda forgetting where it all began.

****************


Back to the article, a job well done baba, i am also encouraged.
it seems in life most business people stole ideas from their previous work industry, I c my self with my own Enviromental management organisation soon saving the world and giving back to my community
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Lemtongthai

What an encouraging story. I bet the people that you worked with blame their failure on your witchcraft prowess. Well done, son of the old man.
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MommaC

Britata

I've got a life and it isn't selling my body
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The_Only_1

Thats normal to me. Anyone can have a business but the biggest problem is to become a Billionare. In my view; that is the biggest problem.
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letwadi

Can anyone really own a filling Station, excuse my ignorance?
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Mahungu

Just go and encourage those guys who hates their jobs now. Patience never kills a human souls. may God extend your wealth and knowledge to the fullest.
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LLCool

I am happy for you. this is good news indeed. unless if you slept your way up.......
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Dandan

Ok , last month I went to Imbizo Chisanyama after a while not going there , I was taken by surpise of this BP filling station I asked the attendant he confirmed its owned by blacks I was very impressed. however reading this story its giving me completely different picture as I read about this guy's profile it says in 2006 he was promoted to assistant manager thats when things started to move around, its pretty clear this guy is a victim of fronting , where did he get collateral for bank loan as far as I understand BP advertised some franchises three yrs back their upfront payment was R45m for a small station loading 20 000 liters

This is a thing that is killing us a black people for being sold for cash I would be happy if the guy went to government agencies for loan like NEF,Khula,DBSA etc
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Dandan

@letwadi
Can anyone really own a filling Station, excuse my ignorance?
====================================================================

yes, it is a franchise you pay royalty , deposits for franchise which is very difficult for us as black people if I remember very well BP advertised few some yrs back they wanted deposit of R45m depending on liters
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LLCool

@Dandan:

He is the Co-owner, so meaning there are some people involved. Let us be positive.............
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SOLUTIONS

Well done to this guy, I will make sure to fill up there if I am in the east rand again.

Dandan, -- racism is a bit hectic with you my friend.
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MuVenda007

Britata ndi tshifevhi cha venda....
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ONEE

SOLUTIONS
Well done to this guy, I will make sure to fill up there if I am in the east rand again.

Dandan, -- racism is a bit hectic with you my friend.
***********

WHAT DID HE SAY SOLUTIONS?

I thought he explained where he was not sure and also explained how to get to that kind busines and tenders advertised, may be I missed it where he displayed racism....just following comments no offence
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MuVenda007

There are guys with money who bought it and gave him a share and put him as manager.
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Dandan

@LLCool==how many % does he owns, where did he get money so quick considering is from poor family,no qualifications,how did he make proposal for a loan at the bank , banks look at your profile first for business loans, the guy sold us as black people again , blacks must stop being victims for fronting

@SOLUTIONS== its nt being about racism when black ppl are expolited , we need black people to own and register at JSE nt being rentals



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SOLUTIONS

Dandan
@SOLUTIONS== its nt being about racism when black ppl are expolited , we need black people to own and register at JSE nt being rentals
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
There is black people that register on the JSE, it takes hard work though, like this chap in this article could just get there one day with lots of hard work like he is currently doing.
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letwadi

Thanx Dandan, in essence he is only a manager, he put up a fee to manage a site, what happens if runs short on his return? can he go and buy petrol let's say at Sasol when his BP stockpile runs short or can he say, the others are paying their petrol attendance staff R2800.00, Im paying my attendance R5000 a month?
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imfene

My man. Has done me proud, has done himself, his clan, his nation proud. Thanks Sowetan for a good news story.
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Dandan

@SOLUTIONS


There is black people that register on the JSE, it takes hard work though, like this chap in this article could just get there one day with lots of hard work like he is currently doing.
=============================================

blacks = 2% registered at JSE , when are we going to 25%, 50%, 75% etc when our brothers are sold for cheap prices
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Dandan

@imfene
My man. Has done me proud, has done himself, his clan, his nation proud. Thanks Sowetan for a good news story.
================================================

proud for what, lying to the nation and whole world, remember this is suppose to go to Empowerdex records , which cant be captured for wrong information, no stats from this guy, its sound like yourself dont know what is a business is all about , very similar to a woman given a lift by a guy driving merc thinking is rich yet is a chauffer
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SetlaboswanaBoy07

From ZERO to HERO nice one broer, keep it up
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imfene

Dandan
Can't be happy for someone else's succsess? Can't be happy when someone tries and achieves? Did I read thus incorrectly?
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Gwambe

ri khou vha livhuwisa mukomana,
what an inspiring news, you set a good example to the socalled disadvataged people, well done keep it up.
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oldlady12

Dandan, did you not read the article here the other day confirming that shareholding of blacks on the JSE is now 50%?
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SOLUTIONS

ONEE
WHAT DID HE SAY SOLUTIONS?

I thought he explained where he was not sure and also explained how to get to that kind busines and tenders advertised, may be I missed it where he displayed racism....just following comments no offence
------------------------------------------------
read some more of his comments on all articles.
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SOLUTIONS

Dandan
blacks = 2% registered at JSE , when are we going to 25%, 50%, 75% etc when our brothers are sold for cheap prices
==================
I think you need to go and do some research and surprise yourself.
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Dandan

@SOLUTIONS

blahblahblah

the stat is 7% for blacks including coloreds,indians, africans however indigenious africans is 2%
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oldlady12

Solutions, Dandan is one of those racists who can never be satisfied. He will always find something wrong with everything, in other words, he's got to be miserable to be happy. This dude was not a gardener today and then co-owner tomorrow. He started at the bottom in 1999. Then he worked his way up through years and years to the top. Obviously his partners needed a black face, but they did not just pick a face out of the crowds. They picked one deserving the opportunity. That is what Black Economic Empowerment is all about, is it not? Taking the deserving people and giving them the opportunity to grow? I don't know how he expects the black man to get to the top if not in this kind of way. Maybe if it was a cadre, he would have been happy.
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SOLUTIONS

Dandan
the stat is 7% for blacks including coloreds,indians, africans however indigenious africans is 2%
---------------------
blahbllablahblah your source please, it is going to be difficult to comment your thumb through.
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oldlady12

Dandan, colou.reds are not indigenious Africans?
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SOLUTIONS

oldlady12
Solutions, Dandan is one of those racists who can never be satisfied. He will always find something wrong with everything, in other words, he's got to be miserable to be happy. This dude was not a gardener today and then co-owner tomorrow. He started at the bottom in 1999. Then he worked his way up through years and years to the top. Obviously his partners needed a black face, but they did not just pick a face out of the crowds. They picked one deserving the opportunity. That is what Black Economic Empowerment is all about, is it not? Taking the deserving people and giving them the opportunity to grow? I don't know how he expects the black man to get to the top if not in this kind of way. Maybe if it was a cadre, he would have been happy.
-----------------------------------
I agree 100%, or he is unhappy that something like this did not happen with him.
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Dandan

@oldlady12 & SOLUTIONS



racists are people like you, why did they target a less educated black person , while there are plenty of educated black people around, the guy does nt have even Gr12
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mazambique

EEEHHH...MAVENDA A LOYA JOH....O FIHLILE BJANG...LE BO CYRIL
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Dandan

@SOLUTIONS & oldlady12


so stop complaining about Zuma being a Pres without qualifications, when it suits you qualification is nt necessary when nt its different story
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SOLUTIONS

Dandan
racists are people like you, why did they target a less educated black person , while there are plenty of educated black people around, the guy does nt have even Gr12
-----------------------------------------------------
Because he proved himself, did you not read the story, some millionaires went to varsity and started from high positions, they did not need to start at the bottom. This guy started at the bottom and worked his way up to what he is, well deserved and well done.

Why should one have to defend the hard work and achievements of this guy to a sad person like you.
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TAKSON

I'm a witness to this,I personally know the guys, they are hardworkers. I have also seen there petrol attendants climbing ladders, Not corruption we see from Polokwane and Mangaung
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oldlady12

Dandan, this guy was in this specific industry for more than 10 yrs, and he worked in every conceivable position before he got his break. It's also not as if owning a garage requires a rocket scientist, you know. If they made him co owner of an engineering firm, sure, I'd agree with you, but you can inherit your daddy's garage and then run it perfectly succesful, even if you did not finish school.. Especially as it is a franchise. They lead you all the way. BTW, if I read the article correctly, he WANTED to leave school, but his principal talked him out of it.
And for your information, if you can find one single place where I EVER made ANY kind of negative comment on JZ's education, every cent I own is yours.
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Dandan

@SOLUTIONS


same to you stop being sad with Zuma
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SOLUTIONS

Dandan
@SOLUTIONS
same to you stop being sad with Zuma
----------------------------------------------
Dude, I can promise you this, I am not sad about zuma's 2nd term, I actually went out, took the wife to fancy restaurant and had a few beers.. It was on the DA though, getting much more votes. heheheheheh
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oldlady12

Dandan, paragraph 7 of the article states clearly that his matric qualification helped him gain entry into attendant school. I didn't even know there was such a thing, but so one learns daily.
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Bhekikhaya

What an inspirational story, if most South Africans can have such a big heart as Elvis, surely we'll be a successful nation, These are role models for our new generation, but most need a short cut to success, Tenderpreneurs Bigup Brother!!!!! Bigup Brother!!!!!
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Serene

...i smell fronting here.


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oldlady12

Serene, dis jou bolip wat so stink.
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Serene

oldlady12
Serene, dis jou bolip wat so stink
----------------------------------------------------
hey u little mosquito I am entitled to my opinion here ..i dnt believe evrything i am told ..especially by sowetan.

did u ever ask your self how much is an investment for a franchise?? and how a site manager could have afforded to secure financing of such an amount..even in partnership...apply yo mind.


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booze1984

Interesting and inspiration story, I hope its not you on that car, becuase that pic is UGLY
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oldlady12

Serene, if Sowetan had to tell us everything, we'd take a week to read it all. Apply YOUR mind and do some calculations of how much one can save in 10 yrs if you don't party, do hair extensions and buy brand name clothing.. I saved up R 288 000 in 12 yrs just from knitting while I'm watching TV. And you can bet your smelly little lip that his partners had securities to give to the bank. Else they would not have gotten a loan anyway, no matter if they paid this dude off or not. And who gave you the amount? Our dear little happy man, Dandan?
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wendyyah

wow what a remarkable story, i wish we had more positive stories like these
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Nzumbululo

Jealous me, it sound more like a case of fronting to me!!!!!!!!!???????

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imfene

Nzumbululo
If he is a substantial share holder, thats good for me. Remember all business have shareholders, even if it is just the bank debt.
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imfene

Laqasha

No I'm fine as I am. Thank you.
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Borokzin

The only thing that I miss in the article is what did he do with the money he used to earn whilst being an employee. Because we all aspire to start working so that we can have money, BUT we never let or have that money work for us - we end up being "enslaved"to our employers until we retire - or be fired. We never aspire to fire our bosses. Have you as well asked yourself this QUESTION.. When last did you Deposit money in your own bank account - all what you do is to withdraw from it.
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Smakku

But the problem is u dnt make profit on petrol coz pricing is controled by Zuma u can only make profit from the shop thats why i left it as well i had a garage Shell Ultra City Benrose on yo way to Vosloorus

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Mossgado_

WOW_ big up brother man'...
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