In 1985, Satty Rose Mdhluli started working in her father’s taxi business. At the time, she was the only woman in Bloemfontein driving taxis.

Today, Mdhluli has her own tour operating company based in the Free State, is a Lilizela recipient and serves as Chairperson for the Women in Tourism Chapter in the Free State. She says she has always been passionate about transport and while she has fond memories of working for her father, having her own company and transporting tourists is far more rewarding.

For one, she enjoys the change from bustling commuters on their way to work to guests enjoying a holiday. She also enjoys the opportunity to put together packages for clients who request it. “Tourism is in my heart now,” she says. She’s also spread the passion within her family. Her husband and son both work at the company.

After a couple decades of “doing time” in the taxi industry, which Mdhluli describes as a “man’s world”, Mdhluli registered her Thabile Tours and Shuttle in 2004. Two years later she bought her first Quantum. Today the company has a fleet of two Quantums and two Mercedes Sprinters. Growing the fleet has been no easy feat as Mdhluli, like many other black entrepreneurs, hasn’t had access to capital or financing. The next step for her is to acquire a 60-seater, which will mean she no longer has to subcontract when handling larger groups.

While access to finance has been a challenge, Mdhluli has benefited from the support of SA Tourism. She was taken to IBTM in Spain last year. From the show, she has managed to secure business from two agencies in Spain, including a 42-day tour that takes place later this year.

Thabile Tours and Shuttle has also provided ground handling for some of SA Tourism’s familiarisation trips within the Free State, giving Mdhluli the opportunity to fulfil another of her passions: promoting tourism to the Free State. She says she’d like to see the Free State get a greater share of the tourism pie. She says while Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Durban and the Kruger are popular destinations, more tourists should include the Free State in their itineraries.

Thabile Tours and Shuttle offers tailor-made as well custom-made packages and transport services. The company has provided transport for cross-border tours into Swaziland, Namibia, Mozambique and Botswana.

This article is part of a series where Tourism Update highlights small, medium and micro-sized enterprises in the tourism sector. This series is brought to you courtesy of South African Tourism.