Andrika Petlele: Perseverance pays off for petrol station owner and inspiring leader

Make a start. Get out of your comfort zone. Have a clear vision and mission, and be intentional as well as consistent. But most importantly, back it all up with hard work!

These are the wise words of Andrika Petlele, who heads up the Engen One Stop in Plettenberg Bay. She is also the only female Engen petrol station owner in the Southern Cape Region. Now she wants to mentor young women in the region and share what she has learned.

Andrika describes her leadership style as empathetic, disciplined and community-focused. She is also very hands-on and believes in leading by example and imparting knowledge wherever she can.

“I am passionate about teaching, and that helps me stay resilient even when staff don’t perform as expected,” Andrika says.

“I delegate based on people’s natural strengths and focus on building a culture of learning and accountability. 

“When staff feel supported and equipped, they rise to the occasion - and that shows in our service delivery.”

She said the biggest hurdle she faced after taking control of the Plett fuel station was managing change.

“I knew staff would push back, but I focused on identifying their strengths and giving them a platform to shine. Once people feel heard and empowered, they take pride in their work.”

Attaining her current position took a great deal of persistence, resilience and hard work, traits she learned early in life while being raised by a courageous single mother in the village of Kraalhoek, Limpopo.

“My mom worked two jobs - teaching during the day and at night - just to make sure we had a better life. She taught us about saving and planning from the time we could count coins,” Andika reflected.

She went on to study chemical engineering, and was headhunted into the corporate world before she had even finished studying.

While the corporate world taught her a sense of discipline, resilience and the importance of standing your ground, her heart was yearning for something more.

Andrika had developed a passion for the fuel industry and set herself the long-term goal of becoming a fuel station owner.

“I applied many times but kept getting knocked back. Not having unencumbered cash was a major hurdle,” she admits. “Still, I knew I had to keep pushing,” she said.

However that persistence paid off five years ago when she discovered PetroConnect, an organisation that offers support and training for new entrants into the fuel retail space.

“It was a game-changer. I visited nine sites and got rejected seven times. I even withdrew one application. But I never gave up. I knew my time would come,” Andrika explained.

Her persistence paid off in 2022, when she was offered the Engen Plet One Stop.

“When I came to view the site, I fell in love. I knew it was meant to be,” she said.

Andrika also attributes her success to faith and prayer.

“I’m deeply rooted in prayer. My late grandmother taught us there’s no set time for prayer, and I carry that with me. Starting my day with gratitude is non-negotiable.”

Her personal mantra:

“This is your biggest dream which came true. This is what you prayed for. Show up and make it a success.”

IOL Business