
From Station to Nation
Powering South Africa's Progress Through Transformation
At Shell we have a deep desire to meet the true spirit of Transformation and enable Nation Building.
Our intent is to contribute towards alleviating poverty, minimising unemployment and inequality and ultimately to power the progress of all South Africans.
Shell’s Transformation manifesto:
Transformation. It’s a powerful word, and an even more powerful action. It enables, it empowers, it uplifts and it changes lives.
At Shell, we believe that transformation is the force that will unlock a brighter future for our nation. A future where prosperity is possible for all citizens, and not just a privileged few. A future where social justice and true equality is an everyday reality. A future where understanding, hope and humanity replace bitterness, animosity and fear.
We understand that in order for an economy to grow it has to integrate all of its citizens in a meaningful way.
From simple stations to our great nation, Shell is, and has always been, truly committed to fuelling sustainable progress. We believe that our transformation initiatives must go beyond just our internal operations and into our country’s communities. It is only in this way that all South Africans will be able to envisage a thriving future, not only for themselves but for their children’s children.
Now is the time for each and every South African to embrace our roles as change agents and transformation initiators. To work towards a strong, united nation. To give effect to the South Africa of Rolihlahla Nelson Mandela’s dreams, where our citizens can taste the fruits of democracy and good governance in their everyday lives.
Shell LiveWire South Africa
Shell LiveWIRE
My name is Thabitha Malinga
I’m from Tembisa in the East Rand
I am a mom to 2 beautiful children.
I’m a sister and I am an entrepreneur.
So I was browsing through the internet and I saw the Shell logo and I remember picking up funding, incubation and that was good for me to start applying.
So in my mind when I applied I was looking for funds.
Thabie Mobile Spa is my fourth business attempt. Because of the lack of experience, the revenue that I made was hand to mouth.
I would make R500 that day and then close shop, go shopping.
It failed so many times.
(text - subtitle) We've come a long way.
(text - subtitle) She's a child who has always had vision.
(text - subtitle) After Matric we asked her what she wants to do in life.
(text - subtitle) She said "Somatology".
(text - subtitle) Her father asked "What is Somatology?"
My vision was so clear and it still is and for me to get to that vision I had to really make a lot of sacrifices.
(text) Thabitha was selected to be part of the Shell LiveWIRE program in association with Raizcorp.
The entrepreneurial journey is a tough one. We all believe erroneously that there’s a place, there’s a nirvana, there’s a peak at which it will all be okay. We’re only there for seconds before we realize that there’s another peak and more issues and more problems and sometimes that relentless pushing back on our journey it takes a toll on individuals. It’s only certain people that push through that.
(text) Shell LiveWIRE is a global social investment initiative that focuses on training and equipping young people with the necessary entrepreneurial skills.
So she came in here with a business model of her mobile spa and optimistic and this is something that she loves, she’s been in the industry for quite some time. Now we said to her, “Okay fine, this is beautiful but let’s look at the vision, let’s look at where this business is going.” Now, you see we’re not giving them answers, we’re asking them questions.
I acquired learning through Shell LiveWIRE. It’s now a year that I’ve been with them and during that year I have learnt so much. I have learnt what it really means to be an entrepreneur.
When I started here I was with a panel of sixty other candidates and now I’m a finalist of 2 candidates.
The program is intended to develop businesses that can become suppliers or match our supplier chain. She is aligned to our wellness program that we have at Shell where we look at a holistic view of employee wellness and she’s done very well.
You know, when I speak about it I become quite emotional because right now I can say with pride that my business is profitable and the reason why my business is profitable is because of the program.
(text) She now employs 3 people, expanded her business to include kids pamper parties and plans to move to bigger premises later this year.
Join us in forging a future that all South Africans can, will and must be proud of.
Our Programmes
Our commitment to Transformation is demonstrated in the projects that we invest in.
Rally to Numeracy
Watch how the learners at Leeu-Gamke Primary School in the Western Cape are now looking forward to their Maths lessons, and why their marks are dramatically improving. Learn more about Rally to Numeracy.
Shell Livewire
Learn more about Thabitha Malinga, owner of Thabie Mobile Spa in Johannesburg, whose small business is thriving through our Livewire Programme. Learn more about our Shell Livewire Programme.
Shell Scholarship Programme
Follow Siphosethu Sota’s journey from studying at a disadvantaged school in a small township to enrolling for a Bachelor of Business Science at the University of Cape Town. Learn more about Shell’s Scholarship Programme.
Shell Transformation Scholarship
01:00:11:16 My name is Siphosethu Sota
01:00:13:11 I was born and raised in Cradock.
01:00:37:04 Siphosethu was awarded a scholarship from Shell South Africa.
01:01:01:05 Her getting this scholarship made me very happy because I was struggling.
01:01:05:02 I was worried that I was not going to be
able to get her to where she currently is.
01:01:43:05 I'd say she was different from other children when she arrived
01:01:46:00 because she did not have what other children had.
01:01:49:00 But what she did have, as I would always tell her
"God blessed you with intelligence
01:01:56:09 that you can use to change your circumstances."
01:02:13:01 I'd like to make a difference at home first.
01:02:36:00 With help from Shell, Siphosethu is now enrolled at UCT doing a Bachelor of Business
Science.
More in sustainability
What sustainability means at Shell
For Shell, sustainability means providing essential energy for a growing population, while respecting people, their safety and the environment.
Communities
We aim to be a good neighbour wherever we work, by contributing to the well-being of nearby communities.