Trucking doesn’t just run on fuel – it runs on people. In South Africa’s service stations, frontline pump jockeys are the unsung enablers of the road freight industry, keeping drivers moving and supply chains flowing. Corporate investment in upskilling ‘entry-level’ personnel has proven to pay dividends across the board and this year, bpSA has awarded 32 bursaries through its Impumelelo Bursary Programme, opening doors to higher education for its forecourt ‘service champions’ across the country.
According to Taelo Mojapelo, bpSA CEO: “Service champions are at the heart of our operations, the face of our brand. They play a vital role in delivering exceptional service to customers across the country.”
By supporting their education, bpSA is not only nurturing a more skilled workforce but also creating a ripple effect that strengthens communities and the transport sector. “We know that for many people, the desire to study is strong, but the cost is simply out of reach. The Impumelelo Bursary is about giving our people the opportunity to thrive, because when we invest in them, we are investing in the future of South Africa,” she adds.
Diversity amongst the recipients is broad, as is the range of institutions and courses on offer – from IT and business to engineering.
One bursary winner, Mpendulo Tibane, describes the programme as “an incredible opportunity for us to grow, to dream bigger and to empower ourselves through education. I hope every service champion will grab this chance with both hands. Today, I may be filling up your tank, but tomorrow I could be the Head of IT at a multinational company. I’m a breadwinner, a parent and now, thanks to bpSA, my future is full of possibility.”
Smashing the glass ceiling
The programme is part of bpSA’s broader strategy of sustainable growth, social investment and community empowerment, following initiatives such as scholarships for students clearing historical debts, the Energy Mobility Education Trust, and training for office staff.
Recognition has followed, with bpSA named Top Empowered Company in Education and Skills Development in 2023.
Mojapelo says: “At bpSA, we see education not just as a pathway to economic development, but as a way to break cycles of limitation for those working hard to support their families. The Impumelelo Bursary Programme is our way of saying, ‘Your dreams matter, and we are here to help you achieve them’.”
Upskilling frontline staff may seem small in the context of the national transport industry, but it is foundational. Empowered, educated service champions enhance efficiency at the pumps, support truckers and logistics operators, and strengthen the communities that underpin South Africa’s freight networks.
“The ripple effect of this opportunity extends far beyond the classroom. When we empower our people with education, we’re not just enhancing their lives – we’re building more resilient, skilled communities,” Mojapelo concludes.
Click on photographs to enlarge
