Transport business runs through the veins of Lentswe Tlhogo (31), founder of freight shipping and passenger transport company Voice Express.
This was proven after he won prestigious awards rewarding his pioneering spirit, which has seen the company thriving in the South African transport industry.
Tlhogo boasts with having won the title of Free State Youth Entrepreneur of the Year, and being deemed best in the transport category, in 2015. This recognition came only a few years after venturing into transport.
Marking a milestone of ten years in the industry, Tlhogo received an Excellent Youth Achiever award at this year’s South African Freight Awards, held in October. The awards recognise the continuous improvement of suppliers and emerging enterprises in the road freight sector. Tlhogo was the only candidate from the Free State among the eight recipients in this category.
The recognition Tlhogo received over the years has inspired him to invest his time, money, and energy into this industry. He is now reaping the rewards of this investment.
Freight shipping is one of South Africa’s largest sectors, contributing about R270 billion to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), according to Statistics South Africa. The sector reportedly represents about 10% of the GDP and employs about 1,1 million people.
The minibus taxi industry contributes around R5 million in annual company tax, former Finance Minister Tito Mboweni stated during his budget presentation last year.
Tlhogo started Voice Express single-handedly and nurtured it into a reputable brand.
“Voice Express was established in 2011 as learner transport, and I’ve loved it ever since. I never received any form of financial assistance to start,” said Tlhogo.
Good work ethic, which includes managing a budget and avoiding wasteful expenditure, saw him expand into a taxi fleet in 2012 and freight in 2015.
“Since the inception of my business, I have built a good record with my bank and creditors, and the rest is history. I acquired the first truck and trailer to start off in freight in 2015,” he said.
A solid foundation in the passenger transport industry has given Tlhogo the winning edge in managing his freight fleet.
He now has 12 full-time employees, who include mechanics, to transport various goods in South Africa and neighbouring countries, including Lesotho.
Tlhogo laments the challenges arising from South Africa’s ever-increasing inflation.
“The high fuel costs our nation is facing results in 50% of our turnover going to fuel costs.”
When asked if South African youth seem to have any aspirations to seize opportunities in freight and logistics, Tlhogo said that this was not the case.
“In all honesty, the youth are unaware of the existing opportunities. Financial institutions across South Africa regard it as one of the riskiest businesses, so funding is a real problem.
“I’m also still looking for potential funders, for people interested or active in the freight industry. Everything needs to be self-funded.”
Tlhogo is living proof that without risk there is no profit; while at the same time knowing that risk has to be mitigated and managed.
“I started out studying Information Technology at the Central University of Technology (CUT), Free State. I then moved to the University of the Free State (UFS) to study Social Science for two years. I dropped out to be a taxi driver and drove my own taxi. I worked hard to turn it into a business,” said Tlhogo.
He states his strength is setting and reaching goals.
