Profile

Sbonelo Mbatha, born in 1976 in Nqabeni District, Izingolweni, KZN, is a respected Fuel Retailer, Entrepreneur, Author, and Philanthropist. Raised by parents who instilled values of hard work and persistence despite their limited formal education, Sbonelo is now a devoted husband to Zinhle and a proud father of three. His extensive experience in the fuel industry is reflected in his roles as National and Regional Chairperson of the BP Dealer Council, Chair of the BP Transformation Committee, and Board Member of the Fuel Retailers Association, among other significant positions. Sbonelo is also the driving force behind Divine Inspiration Group and Calhoun Holdings, which own multiple petrol stations across South Africa, and PetroCONNECT Holdings, a company focused on empowering fuel sector stakeholders.

Beyond business, Sbonelo is passionate about community upliftment. Together with his wife, he co-founded the GloryBush Foundation, which supports aspiring entrepreneurs, career expos, and bursaries for students. As an author, his self-published book The Petrol Attendant quickly gained traction, selling 1,500 copies within three weeks of its release in 2024. He is also a sought-after speaker, known for delivering motivational talks at corporate and church events, where he shares his journey from humble beginnings to business success. Academically, he holds a National Diploma in Cost & Management Accounting from Mangosuthu University of Technology, supplemented by various courses in leadership, entrepreneurship, and communication.