When 
Busisiwe Zondo lost her job during the COVID-19 pandemic, she faced an uncertain future. Instead of allowing the setback to define her, she saw an opportunity to build something of her own.
Today, the 34-year-old entrepreneur from Ekurhuleni is growing Mazondo Gas, a business focused on making liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) more accessible, creating jobs and promoting safer energy use in communities.
Zondo launched Mazondo Gas in 2021 after years of working in the gas industry. Her interest in entrepreneurship was sparked at a conference hosted by the LPG Association and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, where she learnt about opportunities available to gas distributors.
“When COVID-19 hit and we lost our jobs, I took the opportunity to start the business, ”she said.
Starting a business in a challenging economy was not easy, but Zondo focused on meeting a practical need by giving customers access to gas products in quantities they could afford.
Mazondo Gas, an authorised Easigas distributor, operates from Sky City Mall in Ekurhuleni and Ekhaya Mall in Embalenhle, Mpumalanga.
An authorised Easigas distributor is an approved, certified retail partner licensed to sell, refill, and exchange official Liquefied Petroleum Gas cylinders and related equipment. Easigas distributors are authorised by Easigas, an industry leader of more than 40 years.
Mazondo Gas offers gas refills ranging from 1kg to 19kg, cylinder exchanges from 9kg to 48kg, and sells essential accessories such as regulators, LPG hoses, valves and gauges. It also provides household and commercial gas installations complete with certificates of compliance.
“About 80% to 90% of our customers are walk-ins. That is why we have flexible refill options that cater for what each customer can afford,” Zondo said.
The business has grown to employ 11 people and serves both household and commercial clients, including restaurants, retailers and a supermarket on the East Rand. Customers can also place orders online and track deliveries.
Expanding the business
A turning point came in 2022 when Zondo attended business management training offered by the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA). After the programme, she applied for funding and received a grant of R50 000.
“I used the money to buy cylinders so that I could expand the business,” she said.
The funding helped Mazondo Gas increase its capacity, but Zondo continued looking for ways to strengthen the business.
In 2024, she was shortlisted for funding of US$20 000 from the United States African Development Foundation. Although she did not receive the funding, the process helped her secure premises and approach Easigas about becoming a distributor.
“I told them I already had the space and customers,” she recalled.
Building the business has also required personal growth. Zondo said she had to move from being involved in every aspect of the company to creating systems that would enable it to grow.
“The journey has been tough. It broke and made me. At some point, I was the stumbling block because I was too attached. Through mentorship and development programmes, I learnt to put systems, policies and contracts in place.”
Zondo is continuing to develop her skills through programmes such as the Nedbank Green Economy Fund, which supports start-ups in sectors including energy, water, waste and agriculture.
Her vision is to eventually turn Mazondo Gas into a franchise that can create opportunities for other township entrepreneurs.
“We receive calls from people who want to support us after seeing our brand on social media. That is why we are putting systems in place so that, when we introduce a franchise model, we can clearly outline the start-up and operational costs.”
For Zondo, the goal is not only to grow a successful company but also to build a model that others can follow.
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