The relaunch of bp Thorntree in Soshanguve marks the latest milestone in entrepreneur Cindy Ramokoto’s growing footprint in South Africa’s fuel retail sector, where she is building a business in a space traditionally dominated by men.
The relaunch follows a recent upgrade to the site, including a refreshed forecourt and a modernised Pick n Pay Express, aimed at enhancing the customer experience and supporting continued business growth.
Nokwanda Khumalo, GM for Mobility & Convenience at bp Southern Africa, said: “The refreshed forecourt and enhanced Pick n Pay Express environment reflect our continued investment in strengthening our retail network while enabling entrepreneurs like Cindy Ramokoto to grow sustainable businesses and deliver an improved customer experience.”
Ramokoto, who owns both bp Thorntree and bp Ridge Oasis in KwaZulu-Natal, now employs around 200 people across her operations.
At bp Thorntree, ongoing investment in the customer proposition has included improvements to the forecourt and retail environment, creating a more modern and convenient experience for customers while supporting long-term business growth.
Ramokoto’s journey to become owner of two fuel stations started in the corporate world. She was a Chartered Accountant who became a partner in one of the country’s “Big Five” firms. She left the security of a corporate career to join her late brother, who had a fuel retailing business, and then bought her own fuel station – bp Thorntree marks the second fuel station in her growing portfolio.
Ramokoto regards herself as fortunate that she left her job with savings and was able to afford the deposit to invest in a fuel station, an opportunity not available to many women.
“While the industry is making progress in opening up ownership in fuel retailing, with a clear focus on bringing in more women, more can be done to support capable South African women who lack access to financial resources,” she says.
As a CA, Ramokoto is very aware of cash flow management. From the profits of her first fuel station, she was able to reinvest in a second.
“You have to be very strict with yourself and understand that the funds in the business are not yours, they belong to the business,” she says. “If you don’t, you will quickly find yourself in the red. I earn a salary every month and, like everyone else, I have to wait for payday.”
For Ramokoto, growth is not only about expanding her business, but also about creating opportunity for others. Her ultimate ambition is to own ten fuel stations and grow employment opportunities further. She currently employs around 200 people across different facets of the business and finds particular satisfaction in watching employees grow into management roles, with many of her team starting as petrol attendants.
As a trained chaplain and trauma counsellor at her local church, helping people is her passion, and she takes pride in seeing her staff realise their potential. She says bpSA’s support, combined with continued investment in modern retail and convenience offerings, has helped her build the business with confidence and position her sites for future growth.
