Startup Story
Refilwe Sebothoma, founder of Hakem Energies in South Africa, continues to grow as a visionary entrepreneur with proven business savvy and qualities. Harnessing her business acumen, she founded her businesses in monopolized industries and established them as high-growth start-ups which are highly recognized and are now medium and large businesses. Her purpose is about impacting and empowering the lives of ordinary people through her work because she believes that when individuals are empowered and self-sufficient, they can go back to their communities and replicate that impact. She loves to spend time mentoring, coaching, and sharing her journey with upcoming entrepreneurs as part of her paying it forward. The business has created jobs for 9 local people.
LoA spoke to the impact-driven Refilwe Sebothoma about her journey to date, her business-building experiences, and her vision for the future.
When did you start your business?
I have been an entrepreneur for 13 years, but Hakem Energies is our latest project. I founded Hakem in December 2022, but we officially started trading February 2024. The journey has been filled with extensive research and navigating various legislative requirements to bring this vision to life.
“My starting a business was about navigating myself out of poverty, impacting ordinary lives, and creating opportunities, especially for women. Over time, my business and impact have transformed my passion into full dedication.”
What does your company do?
Hakem Energies has been established as an impact enterprise that focuses on combating energy poverty by making LPG accessible, particularly in marginalized communities. We are acutely aware of the challenges faced by these communities in relation to energy poverty and firmly believe that our business will continue to play a crucial role in addressing these issues, as well as the wider socio-economic impacts that stem from energy poverty.
What inspired you to start your company?
Below are some of the socio-economic impacts I am referring to:
Millions of South Africans are still living without electricity; those who do have it spend hours which turns into days also living without it due to load reductions. Many are then targeted by criminals during this darkness.
There is "Firewood Rape" where women are raped when they go into the veld to collect wood and dung to make fires to heat their homes and cook for their families. it is reported that about 48 new victims are reported per day.
Informal settlement shack fires continue to be a huge risk, especially during winter as poor communities depend on paraffin stoves (which have been proven to be unsafe) for heating their shacks - 9 000 cases were reported for FY2022.
Paraffin poisoning is said to be causing 24 000 hospitalization cases with 171 and 498 children dying because in most homes paraffin is stored in juice and cold drink bottles and toddlers then mistake it to be something drinkable.
11% of lung cancer deaths are said to be attributable to exposure to toxins from household pollution.
We are particularly enthusiastic about the potential for long-term sustainability and the positive impact that Hakem Energies can bring into these communities.
What makes your business, service or product special?
We have containerized models that allow us to bring LP Gas into communities safely. We have small 5kg cylinders which are easy and portable to carry as the communities often don't have their own reliable transportation. We have technology that allows the community to only pay for the gas they can afford. We do a lot of education and awareness around LPG safety and usage. LPG is Clean, Reliable, Quick to cook with, and has better Health & Safety benefits. We partner with local businesses and make them part of the business model opportunity. All the service providers for the construction and launch of the store are from the local areas in which we establish the model. We believe LPG is the safest, most efficient, affordable, suitable, and immediately available source of energy for marginalized communities.
“Hakem Energies has been established as an impact enterprise that focuses on combating energy poverty by making LPG accessible, particularly in marginalized communities.”
Tell us a little about your team
My team is just a bunch of amazing people who are equally if not more passionate about Hakem's mandate. I have the most amazing and hardworking team in the whole business.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
An ordinary girl who just decided not to let her circumstances define and direct her life, but instead used them as a reason to fight to have a better life. I am an impact leader, trade-influenced, and inspired by being raised by two phenomenal women (my mom & Granny) who impacted the lives of our communities. I am extremely passionate about entrepreneurship as I see it as a tool that enables me to impact the lives of other people and I know that they will go back to their communities to replicate the impact.
I have been an entrepreneur for over 13 years, navigating the highs and lows of building businesses. While some ventures have thrived, others have faced challenges. In addition to my entrepreneurial journey, I dedicate time to mentoring and serving on advisory boards for small businesses, paying it forward to the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Eventually, my starting a business was about navigating myself out of poverty, impacting ordinary lives, and creating opportunities, especially for women. Over time, my business and impact have transformed my passion into full dedication.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
Looking ahead, we plan to partner with female entrepreneurs in rural Africa to make clean, reliable energy accessible to all, challenging the notion that energy availability is only for the privileged. We're also committed to educating communities about safe LP Gas usage to further reduce the risk of accidents. I believe we can and will change the world, one life, one family, and one community at a time.
“Looking ahead, we plan to partner with female entrepreneurs in rural Africa to make clean, reliable energy accessible to all, challenging the notion that energy availability is only for the privileged.”
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
The privilege of giving back, to pay it forward, and impact the lives of ordinary people.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Perfectionism is a big enemy that can cause us, as women, to hesitate and procrastinate eventually losing out on opportunities. Starting with what we have and building from there is key. A strong support system is crucial for success.
To find out more, contact Refilwe at Hakem Energies via email: refilwe@hakemenergies.co.za or visit the company’s website and social media platforms:
Website: http://hakemenergies.co.za
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/share/pSuJX88NHgiESXCk/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hakem_energies?igsh=MTh0OXpobmx3djNlOQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Why LoA loves it….
Refilwe Sebothoma is a real impact-maker with her businesses, always driven by a bigger purpose and vision to make a difference to people’s lives, and she is certainly doing that with her latest venture, Hakem Energies. In South Africa, energy poverty is a reality for millions of people, and lives are needlessly lost and families devastated as a result. Refilwe is a change-maker who doesn’t just see a challenge, she finds a solution, and her business is doing just, providing access to affordable, safe energy for local communities. Inspirational! — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa