Every revolutionary story begins not with an easy road, but with an unwavering choice to walk it anyway. In the heart of Dark City, Bronkhorstspruit, South Africa, Nomathemba Selesho made that choice long before she even realized it. Watching her father navigate the world of transport, she saw firsthand the gaps that kept communities disconnected and dreams delayed. But where others saw a broken system, Nomathemba saw opportunity.
From a young age, she understood that real change does not come from waiting for doors to open, it comes from building new doors entirely. Her academic path, armed with rigorous studies in accounting and auditing, became the toolkit with which she would later dismantle barriers and reshape industries. When the time came, she left the safety of corporate banking and stepped into the unknown, founding Themba Liyeza Solutions with nothing but a dream and an unstoppable will.
Today, she stands not just as a businesswoman, but as a force. A woman who dared to move against the current, to carve her own lane in logistics, green mobility, and beyond.
From Dark City to a Vision Beyond
“My name is Nomathemba Selesho, a 33-year-old female, and I was born and raised in Dark City, a township nestled in Bronkhorstspruit,” she begins, her words layered with both pride and a sense of responsibility.
From an early age, entrepreneurship was not a foreign concept to her, it was stitched into the very fabric of her daily life. Watching her father navigate the world of transport, she saw not just the hard work but the gaps that needed filling, the systems that needed better hands and brighter minds.
During her high school years, another passion bloomed: accounting. “During high school, I discovered a passion for accounting, which became the foundation of my journey,” she shares. She pursued this passion with fierce determination, earning a National Diploma in Accounting Science, a BTech in Internal Auditing, and an Advanced Diploma in Accounting Science. Each qualification sharpened her skills and added another brick to the foundation she was quietly laying for her future business.
Though her professional life initially began in the banking sector, Nomathemba felt a tug stronger than any paycheck or title could offer. “I soon felt a stronger calling to build something of my own, something that would create impact and empower others,” she says. This calling birthed Themba Liyeza Logistics, a dream that would later evolve into Themba Liyeza Solutions, a company deeply rooted in purpose, innovation, and community upliftment.
“My academic and professional background has been a cornerstone in building a business that is not only sustainable but deeply rooted in purpose and integrity,” she says with conviction.
The Birth of Themba Liyeza Solutions
Themba Liyeza Solutions stands today as a beacon of possibility. But its creation was not just about business; it was about answering a painful, persistent need Nomathemba saw all around her.
“I was driven by a powerful vision to create sustainable employment opportunities in communities too often overlooked, where unemployment remains heartbreakingly high,” she says. Her words paint a clear picture of a woman unwilling to stand by and watch problems fester.
She knew she was entering a space dominated by men and not just any men, but ones who doubted her ability, questioned her dreams, and saw her hearing impairment as a weakness. She did not flinch. “I chose to break through barriers, not only as a woman but also as an entrepreneur living with a hearing impairment, to prove that resilience and innovation know no limits.”
Today, Themba Liyeza Solutions, headquartered in Bronkhorstspruit, operates across several sectors but maintains one mission: to move people and possibilities forward.
“Themba Liyeza Logistics specializes in coal trucking, shuttle services, plant hire, and scholar transport—essential services that keep industries running and communities connected,” she explains.
Currently, the company proudly employs around 40 individuals, while also empowering subcontractors and partnering with small businesses to spread their impact even wider. “This is more than a business, it’s about building a legacy, changing lives, and ensuring that no one is left behind.”
Weathering Storms and Staying Ahead
The journey was far from smooth. As a Black female entrepreneur in logistics, Nomathemba faced her fair share of closed doors and skepticism. “One major challenge was accessing funding as a black female entrepreneur in a male-dominated industry. Many financial institutions were reluctant to support logistics businesses led by women,” she recalls.
But giving up was never an option. “Persistence is non-negotiable,” she says simply, the kind of statement that feels carved from lived experience rather than just words.
In the face of rejection, she sought alternative funding routes. She learned the importance of governance and compliance, building trust brick by brick until investor confidence could no longer be ignored. The COVID-19 pandemic posed a fresh challenge, but true to her adaptive spirit, Nomathemba diversified into water supply and medical equipment distribution, creating not just new revenue streams but also vital jobs during a dark period.
To stay ahead in an industry evolving at breakneck speed, she knew she had to embrace change wholeheartedly. “The logistics industry has evolved significantly with the introduction of AI, automation, and digital technologies. At the same time, there’s growing demand for sustainable and green solutions, which we are passionate about,” she says.
Themba Liyeza Solutions now integrates AI-powered fleet management systems, forms strategic partnerships with giants like HCI Resources, Seriti Coal, and continuously invests in development through programs like the GIZ Manager Training Programme, the Commercial Transport Academy, and the SAB Foundation Tholoana Programme.
Impact that Goes Beyond Profit
Nomathemba’s impact is not just measured in contracts won or trucks on the road. It’s visible in the lives changed, the doors opened, and the barriers shattered.
Among her many milestones, a few stand out: being nominated as a Rising Star at the 2023 Transport Evolution Awards, receiving the SAB Foundation Spotlight Award, winning the Tholoana Award, and earning the prestigious Youth in Business Presidential Award.
Each recognition is not just for her, but for the countless women, young entrepreneurs, and community members she lifts as she rises.
Beyond Themba Liyeza Solutions, her heart beats for greater inclusion across the sector. “I currently serve as the Secretary General of International Women in Transport, where we advocate for the inclusion and advancement of women in the industry,” she says.
She also mentors young entrepreneurs through Enterprise and Supplier Development programs, opening pathways for others who, like her younger self, only need someone to believe in their potential.
Words for the Next Dream Builders
When asked what advice she would give to entrepreneurs with limited resources, Nomathemba’s response is grounded and clear: “Start lean, focus on what you have and build strong systems before scaling. Form partnerships, leverage supplier development and mentorship programs from large corporations. Prioritize compliance and governance—it’s key to winning trust and attracting funding. Never stop learning, invest in your skills, your team, and stay informed about industry trends.”
She believes deeply in the power of adaptability, resilience, and above all, purpose. “The most powerful lesson has been that entrepreneurship is a journey of resilience. It’s not a straight line—it’s filled with challenges, learning curves, and breakthroughs.”
Leadership, for Nomathemba, isn’t about authority. It’s about service. “Business leadership, to me, means creating systems where others can succeed and ensuring that impact goes beyond profit, it must uplift communities and inspire transformation.”
As the logistics industry moves toward a future shaped by green mobility and AI, she is already steps ahead. “We’re working on introducing electric trucks and delivery bikes, and we will be introducing ebikes. We are also looking to expanding into the transportation of Food and beverages.” she says, her excitement palpable. “Real-time tracking, route optimization, and automated scheduling are changing the game.”
Nomathemba Selesho’s story is not just one of entrepreneurial success, it’s a story of relentless hope, unwavering faith in community, and an iron will to build where none existed before.
In her world, barriers are not walls, they are stepping stones. And where others see the impossible, she sees a blank canvas for innovation, inclusion, and impact.
It started in Dark City, but it certainly won’t end there.
