The Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), alongside its constituent trade association, the South African Petroleum Retailers’ Association (SAPRA), congratulates Mr Thulani Tshefuta on his appointment as Chairperson of the Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority (WR SETA) Board.
RMI and SAPRA extend their best wishes to Mr Tshefuta and the newly appointed WR SETA Accounting Authority, expressing anticipation for constructive engagement with WR SETA leadership, including CEO Mr Tom Mkwanazi, and the broader WR SETA team.
SAPRA represents more than 700 members within the WR SETA ambit as of 31 December 2025, while the RMI’s total active employer membership across all constituent associations stood at 9 220. Both organisations reaffirm their commitment to practical skills development, quality workplace learning, and creating clear pathways into employment, particularly within the petroleum and convenience retail sectors.
Industry-aligned skills development is key
Commenting on the appointment, RMI CEO Ipeleng Mabusela emphasised the importance of strong alignment between industry and training authorities. “Skills development delivers the strongest outcomes when industry and training authorities remain aligned and focused on practical implementation. The petroleum retail and convenience retail space is evolving rapidly. Operational, regulatory, and technological shifts mean continuous upskilling is no longer optional—it’s essential. We look forward to deeper collaboration with the WR SETA team on initiatives that directly match employer needs on the ground,” said Mabusela.
RMI will continue to work closely with WR SETA leadership to enhance learning quality and improve workplace readiness across the sector.
Equipping retailers for operational excellence
SAPRA National Executive Chairperson, Henry van der Merwe, highlighted the association’s ongoing focus on equipping retailers with practical, accessible guidance that promotes compliance, operational excellence, and skills development.
Looking ahead, RMI and SAPRA reaffirmed their commitment to partnering with WR SETA on initiatives that reflect the realities of the petroleum retail environment and respond to rapid operational, regulatory, and technological changes. A key opportunity lies in structured workplace learning, where stronger alignment between TVET programmes and real workplace roles can deliver tangible benefits for learners and employers alike.
“With around 4 000 petroleum retail sites operating in South Africa, even if 25% participate, approximately 1 000 TVET learners could gain meaningful workplace exposure at dealer sites. This hands-on experience would span business administration, occupational health and safety, accounting and finance, and business and site operations management,” said van der Merwe.
He concluded: “Well-designed, phased workplace exposure can play a meaningful role in building a sustainable talent pipeline, strengthening compliance capability, and expanding long-term employment opportunities within the sector.”
