It’s every man’s dream to be successful and powerful no matter from what background they come. For us in the trucking industry especially, you would fantasise owning the truck you are driving and 51 more.
This journey to millions by Sam Mshengu of Sam Holdings Trading will definitely motivate many.
From very humble beginnings Mshengu has grown to be a force to reckon with in the trucking industry.
Born in Makwarela, Venda, Mshengu opened up about his difficult upbringing, mostly due to the passing of his soldier father, who was shot dead in DRC Congo when he was only two days old.
Mshengu’s family struggled to a point of lacking food, which resulted in him dropping out of school at the age of 11.
Mshengu started working at an orange farm in Limpopo at the age of 11 as a general worker whose responsibility was to pick oranges.
He worked hard and earned his boss’ trust and was then moved to the trucking division of the company.
There he learnt everything there was to know about trucks and the logistics business.
“I learnt everything about trucks and I loved it. I can tell you everything about a truck. He [my boss] gave me an opportunity to be a truck driver and I started delivering maize and other products for him to Zambia and other neighbouring countries. He then promoted me and I started working as a controller who was in charge of truck drivers,” he said.
The knowledge he acquired from working for his boss encouraged him to start his own trucking business.
He registered his company, Sam Holdings Trading, in 2014 and used his boss’ trucks to start his business.
“I got a contract even when I didn’t have a truck at the time. I took my boss’ trucks and registered them. I was getting a commission of R10 at the time. I worked for a long time and raised money to buy my own truck. I could make R300,000 a month with commission and salary at the time.”
He kept working and saving money until it got to R3 million. He used the money to buy three trucks and trailers cash.
“Now I have 52 trucks running on the road with machines and plant hire. That’s how I made my money. I’ve never been involved in anything illegal. I do transport with Eskom, but I’m also venturing into mining now with my own mine. It’s all my mind and planning and the mercy of God,” he said.
