By: Faith Madoda - Founder, TSS Petroleum Group, Kuruman

South Africa’s cost-of-living crisis is often discussed in broad national terms, but in the Northern Cape it is something far more immediate. It looks like trucks idling in long diesel queues, mining operations forced to delay night shifts due to late fuel deliveries, or transport operators having to choose between keeping their fleets running and paying their staff on time. In this region, fuel is not a convenience. It is the difference between an economy that functions and one that comes to a standstill.

I founded TSS Petroleum Group because rural economies like ours cannot rely entirely on supply chains determined elsewhere. We built our own distribution relationships and logistics capacity to ensure that the mining, agricultural, industrial, and commercial sectors that drive this province have a dependable partner on the ground.

Over time, running this business has revealed something else—something I believe more young people need to hear. The petroleum sector is one of the few industries where entry is still genuinely possible, even for someone who has never had the “perfect” start or a fully developed business idea.

The Conversation We Are Not Having

Much of the national conversation focuses on youth unemployment, and rightly so. However, we speak far less about ownership pathways that do not require reinventing the wheel or securing large-scale venture capital.

Franchising is one of those pathways. If you cannot find formal employment and do not yet have a fully formed business idea, that is not the end of the road. A franchise provides a tested system, an established brand, and existing supplier networks. It allows you to step into business without starting from zero.

Why Petroleum Specifically Matters

Fuel is a constant demand commodity. Vehicles need petrol and diesel, farms rely on diesel to operate machinery, mines depend on uninterrupted supply chains, and households require paraffin and gas. This demand does not disappear during economic downturns, it becomes even more critical.

Within this sector, franchise opportunities extend well beyond fuel retail. They include convenience stores linked to service stations, lubricant and oil distribution, tyre and quickservice operations, and logistics contracts that support independent operators like ours.

Independent ownership, such as the model we have built at TSS Petroleum Group, offers greater long-term control, but it requires significant groundwork: capital, regulatory understanding, strong supplier relationships, and time. Franchising removes much of that early barrier and provides structure where it is most needed.

For many young people, it is not only a realistic entry point but also a potential stepping stone toward full independent ownership in the future.

What I Would Say to a Young Person Reading This

If you are currently without a job and feel like you do not have a “big enough” business idea, the answer is not to wait for inspiration to strike. Look instead at the industries this country cannot function without. Fuel is one of them.

Start by exploring what franchise opportunities exist in your area, no matter how small they may seem. Ask questions. Visit existing operators. Learn how the system works and what it takes to run it.

At TSS Petroleum Group, our work is about keeping the Northern Cape’s economy moving. My hope is to see more young people moving with it—not only as employees, but as owners, franchisees, and the next generation of operators this industry will rely on.