The woman who went from a spaza shop to owning 62 trucks earning R12 million per month
Constance (Connie) Makwale is a South African businesswoman who went from working in a spaza shop to owning a logistics empire with 62 trucks earning R200,000 each or R12.4 million collectively, per month.
In an interview on the From Nothing to Something Podcast, Makwale spoke about her journey to becoming a millionaire business owner.
She grew up in a village near Polokwane as the eldest of three sisters. Much of her extended family consisted of boys, which shaped her early years.
“On my mom’s side, most are men. So, remember, growing up with boys, there are many things that you have to learn the hard way,” she said.
“They will teach you how to ride a bicycle and toughen up. They protect you, but they also challenge you.”
She resisted the idea that girls should be limited to household work. “When we grew up, it was difficult because most of the time they would tell you that the girl needs to go to the kitchen, clean, and cook,” she said.
“But I told myself, whatever my brothers are doing, I will do it. There’s no limitation. It’s not necessarily about physical strength; it’s the mindset.”
In 2004, while still a student, she started running a tuck shop and a mobile kitchen. She later applied for a youth business fund and received R19,000, which was the turning point for her, and started the company Vilolo C & B Trading.
“Most ladies, they [society] push them to the kitchen, but my main dream was to have something unique,” she said.
“Doing the mobile kitchens, cooking, and saving money was fine, but the big dream was to own a big business, something that would be recognised by the world.”
By 2009, she had moved into the logistics industry. To get started, she obtained a Code 14 licence and drove her own truck when she secured her first contract with a construction company.
Succeeding in a male-doninated industry was a real challenge
Makwale said that entering a male-dominated field came with difficulties. “They will do many things to you that will make you want to give up,” she explained.
“They can rob you, steal your batteries and tyres, and some won’t even help when you ask. They would rather see you fail. They ask themselves, what is this woman doing in our space.”
A mentor encouraged her to take the industry seriously, and she went ahead with the heavy-duty driver’s licence.
With no money to buy her own truck, she rented one and began rubble-removal work during the construction of Mall of Africa. That eventually allowed her to buy her first truck.
“I only afforded to have one truck, but from that one, I managed to buy my own, the International 9800,” she explained.
Makwale taught herself how to drive it. “Getting a driver without knowledge is a disaster waiting to happen. So I had to do it myself. In business, you must know the ins and outs before you delegate.”
The work was often risky. She recalled being robbed and sabotaged on the road, but she continued growing the business.
Over the years, she expanded her fleet, eventually reaching 62 trucks. In another interview, she said that each truck brings in R200,000 per month. Her company now employs 119 people.
In 2018, Makwale was invited by the Small Enterprise Development & Finance Agency (SEDA) and the Department of Small Business Development to tell her story of success.
SEDA described Makwale as an inspiring entrepreneur, prasing her journey turning Vilolo C & B Trading from a mobile kitchen to logistics company.
Despite the success, she admitted that her progress came with personal trade-offs. “Running a business is like you are on an island,” she said.
“The family, they don’t even understand the plan. The dream was given to you, not them. You will lose friends, even loved ones.”
“Some will see you as competition. Others will think you took shortcuts. But failure is a very good teacher. It’s part of success.”
Makwale believes that persistence and knowing what you want are key. “Remove fear of the unknown. Know yourself, know what you want in life, and don’t allow anybody to change your character. In bad times or good times, be who you are.”
Today, Makwale is now a wife and mother of three, two boys and a girl. Balancing family life with her work has not always been easy, and she points to cultural pressures as an additional challenge.
“Most women suffer because of culture. If you make money as a woman, it’s for your home. But often, they give men the wrong advice, making them see you as a threat. That mindset must change. A supportive partner is very important,” she said.
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