A bakkie symbolises so much more than just being a vehicle.
Bakkie owners are often seen as heroes saving the day, from helping a friend move to pulling cars stuck out of the mud.
A bakkie is so versatile it can also make you money.
Think delivery or transport service, mobile beauty salon, a pop-up restaurant or a garden refuse business.
With lockdown and economic downturns, many people have found themselves either looking to replace a lost job or finding new ways to make extra money.
Successful bakkie and truck hire start-up Droppa started using a bakkie.
While working as a computer programmer at a bank, Khatutshelo Mufamadi used his own bakkie for deliveries in his spare time.
This gave him the idea to start an e-hailing service for bakkies and trucks, which is how the app Droppa and Uber for bakkies, according to Mufamadi, came about.
He shared how he turned his bakkie into a business.
• Put your bakkie where the money is
“Make sure your bakkie is visible to potential customers.
“It doesn’t make sense to park it outside your house or in your garage.
“It won’t make you any money this way.
“If you choose to offer a delivery or transport service with your bakkie, like I did, start by parking outside a retail or hardware store.”
• Brand your bakkie
“This tells customers you are open for business and what services you offer whether you are parked or driving.
“Make sure the lettering and numbers are visible.
“The more professional this looks the more likely you are to get hired.”
• Have a plan
“While marketing is important, don’t even think to begin until you have a business to market.
“Work at getting your business model and pricing sorted before you start getting customers.”
• Get your finances in order
“Your business won’t succeed without a healthy bank account.
“Get an accountant to assist you from day one.
“It will make a massive difference when investors come knocking on your door.
“The first thing they look at is your financial track record.”
Contact the newsroom by emailing:
Marietta Lombard (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za, or (Journalists) Busi Vilakazi busiv@caxton.co.za , and Lebogang Sekgwama lebogangs@caxton.co.za.
