How did one entrepreneur turn a gap in the mining industry into a booming business?
For South African entrepreneur Kgomotso Lekola, the answer was simple—identify a need and fill it. His story of turning plastic pipes into a business success is a lesson in perseverance, vision, and taking risks.
It all started when Lekola invested in Africa Weather, a company that provided weather forecasts to industries like mining. After selling his stake at three times his initial investment, he discovered more than just profit—he saw the unmet needs of the mining sector. Armed with capital and insight, Lekola set out to offer something new.
That’s when he founded BT Industrial Group, initially offering engineering consulting services for water management in mines. But the quality of the plastic pipes, specifically high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes, used in water conveyance disappointed him. Instead of accepting subpar products, he decided to change the game.
Lekola made a bold move.
He traveled to China, sourced top-notch HDPE pipe manufacturing equipment, and set up a factory near Johannesburg. But success didn’t come easy. Certification delays stalled production for a year, forcing him to operate at a loss.
Despite these setbacks, Lekola didn’t back down. His company focused on cost-effective system designs and quality, eventually winning over clients in mining, agriculture, and construction. Today, BT Industrial Group supplies HDPE pipes to a range of industries, proving that perseverance pays off.
What’s the lesson here?
Kgomotso Lekola’s journey shows that real success comes from solving problems with innovation and never giving up—even when the road gets tough.
