Success Stories
Sophia's Excellence Driving Academy
Stephanie Roodt
TrioPlus Director and Chief Development Officer
A remarkable story of passion, determination, and empowerment unfolds through Sophia’s Excellence Driving Academy in Kimberley.
Sophia Mphuthi founded this female-owned business, which is not just a driving school but a beacon of hope in her community.
Before launching her business, Sophia held the position of Provincial Manager at Trust Fund. During this time, her desire to start her own business grew as she mentored other businesswomen and was frequently invited as a speaker at events. Driven by a sense of purpose and a desire to make a positive impact, Sophia left her job in 2006 to pursue her dream of uplifting women and youth in her community.
In 2009, Sophia obtained an Anglo Zimele loan to purchase her first two vehicles, and managed to repay the loan ahead of schedule.
She later secured another loan for a truck, expanding her academy to train candidates on Code 14 vehicles. She also received candidates through the mine.
With the two Anglo Zimele loans, Sophia also received vital training and mentorship from TrioPlus, which significantly contributed to the growth of her business.
Today, Sophia’s Excellence Driving Academy operates a fleet of three trucks, three smaller vehicles, and an additional branded vehicle for operations.
Sophia is undoubtedly achieving her mission to empower women and youth through driver training, and with a dedicated team of full-time employees, she’s indeed making a positive impact in her community.
Her business showed remarkable resilience, particularly in 2020, when employee salaries were consistently paid throughout the pandemic. However, the lingering effects of the pandemic, coupled with vehicle maintenance expenses and rising petrol prices, is a growing concern for Sophia, emphasising the need for ongoing investment in SMMEs to achieve sustainable growth.
#TrioPlus #ESD #DeBeers #EnterpriseAndSupplierDevelopment #Empowerment #SustainableGrowth #CommunityImpact #SMMEs #Inspiration
