Entrepreneur reshapes logistics industry with community-first approach
|Published
Driven by a strong entrepreneurial spirit and a deep passion for uplifting her community, 31-year-old Keotshepile Maureen “Mamsy” Jonathan took the brave step to venture into the logistics industry.
Jonathan hails from the small towns of Kathu and Kuruman in the Northern Cape and is redefining the logistics space with her company, Jonoago Holdings Pty Ltd.
She founded the company in 2019 and told Business Report, “I was inspired by the needs I saw in my community and a desire to make a real difference. I realised how much potential our communities hold, I wanted to create something that would not only succeed as a business but also uplift those around me.”
She said her company offers logistics services, focused on efficiency and sustainability.
“We primarily operate in the Northern Cape, working closely with local businesses in and around Kathu and Kuruman, rendering services such as passenger transportation to employees, schools, rank to rank and your long-distance journeys,” the entrepreneur said.
“Empowering my community is at the heart of Jonoago Holdings. We have employed our local community members and have provided them with relevant skills such as advance driving courses, to enhance safety for our clients. We also want young women to see that they can thrive in any field they choose. Representation is powerful. is completely self-funded. I wanted to show my commitment to this vision by investing my own resources, and that’s what made the journey even more meaningful,” Jonathan added.
With a staff complement of 12 employees, Jonathan told Business Report that her company is expanding and always on the lookout to employ more local talent from her community.
She said she faced some challenges in getting her business off the ground as the industry is male-dominated.
“Breaking into the logistics sector as a young woman was definitely challenging. It’s a male-dominated field, but I was determined. Today, the challenge is growing responsibly while still staying connected to our mission of community support and empowerment,” she said.
Having a history of working in the corporate world for eight years, she said she always had an entrepreneurial itch to start her own business.
“I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit. I was born into the taxi business that my late father birthed. I have been passionate about creating opportunities and knew early on that I wanted to do something impactful. Building Jonoago Holdings felt like the right path to make a difference in my community,” Jonathan said.
“I have been in cooperate for 8 years, however, I always had a strong focus on logistics and community-based projects, which prepared me well for this journey. I am always focused on growth and impact,” she further told Business Report.
BUSINESS REPORT