For trucking entrepreneurs in South Africa, securing funding can make or break their entry into corporate supply chains. Without access to capital for vehicles, compliance or scaling operations, many trucking SMEs struggle to meet corporate expectations. Nandu Training and Logistics, founded by a former long-haul driver, is showing how targeted funding can bridge this gap and turn a one-man operation into a growing player in the national supply chain.
In 2020, industry veteran Daniel Maswangane launched Nandu Training and Logistics (Nandu), delivering industrial gas for Afrox. Since then, the SME has expanded its services to include delivery of food, hazardous materials and general retail goods, all while broadening its client base across multiple sectors.
The power of targeted funding
In 2022, Afrox introduced the start-up to Edge Growth, a specialist in SME development, securing Nandu an initial investment that enabled the hiring of two new employees and the purchase its first truck.
According to Maswangane: “The funding support from The Edge Action ESD Fund has been a game-changer for Nandu Training and Logistics. It has allowed us to expand our operations, reach more clients and enhance the services we provide. We’re grateful for this continued support from Edge Growth and excited about the future ahead.”
In 2024, Edge Growth stepped in again with follow-on funding to the tune of R5-million that enabled the purchase of two new trucks, replacing older models and strengthening Nandu’s capacity for reliable, safe delivery.
“Nandu’s clients have responded positively, resulting in more work and longer-term agreements,” says Reginah Mogole, investment analyst at Edge Growth. “The business has exceeded the projected growth outlined in 2022, and I expect it will continue to grow throughout the remaining term of the loan facility.”
Beyond contracts and capital, Maswangane sees his company as a legacy project; one that supports his family, creates jobs and offers a blueprint for SME success: “Starting this business after two decades as a driver is a testament to the power of determination and faith. It shows that no matter where you begin, with hard work, vision and the right support, anything is possible,” he concludes.
In an industry beset with barriers to entry, Edge Growth’s work with Nandu Training and Logistics is just one example of how targeted enterprise development funding can effectively fuel transformation in the transport and logistics space, one truck at a time.
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