Engen Hippo Park, situated along Queen Nandi Drive in Durban, was recently launched as the 68th Engen service station in South Africa that is 100% black women owned.

Owner Ntandokazi Kheswa says she was first afforded the opportunity in 2011 and it has since taken six years to finally come to fruition.

“I am delighted to have this opportunity and have dreamt of owning my own business for a long time. I have had extensive experience working in other industries and believe that I have the potential to add a lot of value,” she says.

Engen Hippo Park offers a diverse range of convenience, including a 24/7 QuickShop, a car wash, ATM facilities and lotto tickets.

Approximately 46% of Engen’s service station network in South Africa is currently black (African, Coloured, Asian) owned.

Seelan Naidoo, Engen’s general manager: retail, says the decision to build a new service station along Queen Nandi Drive was driven by the need to provide motorists with an accessible and safe thoroughfare off the busy N2.