Shuttle to success

Born in the Mkhuhlu area of Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, GoGo Shuttles founder Kenny Nkuna was destined from the start for a life in entrepreneurship. “I lived in a peaceful neighbourhood full of people who loved each other. My upbringing there built the foundation of the person I am today. I’m someone who gives and wants the best for everyone,” he says.

In 2009, Nkuna moved to Johannesburg and began studying accounting at the University of Johannesburg. But, after just two years, the restless Nkuna dropped out to get a job. “I wanted to work independently, rather than go to school,” he says.

On his daily commute from Braamfontein to Marlboro for work, he met Kenneth, a bus driver who ran a small transport business as a side hustle. After a few conversations, Nkuna began working with his namesake and learning the ropes of the transport business. But the idea was always to go solo.

Once he had finalised his business idea and plan, Nkuna felt that he had “one chance to get it right”. He sat down with his family and told them about his idea, eager for their input. His brothers were a little sceptical, but fortunately for Nkuna, his mother saw potential in the business and loaned him the funds to finance his first vehicle.

Onwards and upwards

Having worked with a supplier to Sun International in 2014, Nkuna was in a position to take full advantage when he was asked to transport a group from the company’s Central Office to Sun City. Later that month, he was back at it, this time transferring a much larger group. Having proved himself, he managed to secure a spot for GoGo Shuttles on Sun International’s supplier database, and this eventually led to a successful bid for the staff transport tender. GoGo Shuttles continues to serve the Central Office with aplomb in conducting staff transfers on a daily basis.

Nkuna tries to stay ahead of the competition by being innovative and using technology to his advantage. His easy-to-use website makes booking a trip and securing a quote less of a hassle.

Intent on bettering himself and growing in every space, Nkuna remains as passionate about his company 10 years on as the day he first opened doors. He still sometimes wakes up at 2am to get behind the wheel of one of his vehicles himself.

With an element of risk attached to operating a business, particularly in a shaky economic climate, Nkuna has faced serious challenges in accessing both start-up funding and the capital to expand GoGo Shuttles.

A bright future

During his downtime, Nkuna loves going on vacation with his wife, but no matter where he goes, the workaholic identifies an area on arrival to put together his thoughts about innovation and business growth.

Nkuna's aspiration is for GoGo Shuttles to be the transport service provider for Sun International’s flagship resort, Sun City and to reach a point where it will be able to run itself. The business continues to thrive – Nkuna is more than halfway to reaching his long-term goal of owning 40 fleet vehicles.

What is Nkuna’s advice to budding entrepreneurs? “When you start a business, don’t focus on making money. The most important thing in entrepreneurship is consistency and having a passion for what you do. The money will come afterwards,” he explains.