From humble beginnings to building a legacy in logistics
From growing up with financial hardship to winning an entrepreneurship award, Nomathemba Liyeza is rewriting the narrative for women, youth, and people with disabilities in South Africa’s male-dominated logistics industry.
Nomathemba, founder of Themba Liyeza Logistics (Pty) Ltd, has been awarded the coveted SAB Foundation Tholoana Award, the highest honour granted at the graduation of the 2025 Tholoana Enterprise Programme. The accolade includes a cash prize and recognises her outstanding performance, innovation, and resilience in scaling her freight forwarding and warehousing business.
A single mother with a hearing disability, Nomathemba’s entrepreneurial journey began with a deeply personal goal: to build a future for her children that would be free of the hardship she endured.
“I come from a disadvantaged background, and made a promise to myself that my children would never face the same struggles,” she says. “That’s what fuels me every day.”
Her company, originally focused on coal transportation, has since expanded into warehousing, packaging, and most recently, international import and export services. But success didn’t come easily. After earning her Diploma in Accounting and BTech in Internal Auditing, Nomathemba defied societal expectations by turning down the traditional career path to pursue her dream of building a business.
Despite facing barriers, including navigating the logistics industry with a hearing disability, she turned adversity into drive. “Coming from a small township called Dark City situated near Bronkhorstspruit, I’ve always aspired to exceed what society expects of me,” she says. “My disability has only made me more determined to prove what’s possible.”
That tenacity led her to the SAB Foundation Tholoana Enterprise Programme, an 18-month initiative that equips entrepreneurs with tailored business training, mentorship, and a powerful network.
“The programme changed everything,” she says. “From improving my operational systems to sharpening my leadership, it’s helped me scale my business and dream even bigger.”
And she’s not alone. The 2025 Tholoana cohort saw 74.81% average income growth and a 70% increase in jobs created, with 60% of participants being women and 47% youth entrepreneurs evidence of the programme’s commitment to inclusive economic empowerment.
Today, Nomathemba is focused on expanding her business footprint, creating jobs, and playing an active role in South Africa’s economic recovery.
“I would encourage any entrepreneur especially women, youth, or those living with disabilities, to apply. If I can do it, so can they.”
To find out more about the SAB Foundation Tholoana Enterprise Programme visit: https://www.sabfoundation.co.za/tholoana-enterprise-programme.