When your child is ill and the nearest hospital is 30 kilometres away, a dead car battery is more than an inconvenience, it’s a barrier to urgent care. That reality shaped the business model behind G Spares, a retailer and reseller of car parts founded by Gedzu “G” Mathivha. What started in 2017 as a small shop has grown into a community lifeline with branches in Sibasa and Vuwani in Limpopo, and a blueprint to expand across South Africa’s underserved towns.
“I’ve always loved cars,” Gedzu says. “I was that guy tuning, installing sound, tinkering. When the chance came to take over a struggling spares shop, I saw a way to turn passion into purpose.”
In many remote, densely populated parts of Limpopo, the demand for vehicle parts is high but large chains struggle to operate there because of high capital costs, long distances and thin margins. G Spares flips that script with lean, low-overhead micro-branches that stock the right first-moving items for local vehicles instead of trying to carry everything for everyone.
“The spares industry is huge – every car, every model, different parts,” G explains. “We couldn’t afford to sit on millions in stock. So, we researched what is in demand in our areas, spoke to suppliers, listened to workshops and farmers, and built from there.”
That discipline turned G Spares into a niche provider for local needs, from batteries, oils and filters for everyday motorists to greases, hydraulic oils and bulk lubricants for taxi operators, fleets, workshops and farmers.
Competition in semi-urban Sibasa is real but G Spares competes differently: relationship retail.
“When you walk in, we don’t just sell you a part,” G says. “We ask about your car, when it was last serviced, what else might need attention. People aren’t numbers here, they’re neighbours. And our staff are from the community, so the trust is natural.”
That human touch is what keeps customers coming back, not only for parts, but for guidance, safety checks, and honest advice.
“Running a business is not glamorous. It’s tough. But if you solve the day’s challenge and keep moving, you build something that lasts,” says Gedzu.
By early 2020, G Spares had grown to four branches. Then lockdown hit just two months after Gedzu opened their flagship site. He had to make a hard call to scale back to two locations to keep the business alive.
“It hurt,” Gedzu admits. “But resilience is everything. Entrepreneurship isn’t an Instagram highlight reel. It’s problem-solving, day after day.”
During that period, a peer network from the SABF Tholoana Enterprise Programme became a lifeline. “Before, I was suffering alone. Suddenly I had people to call, to say, ‘These months are rough.’ They’d say, ‘Hold on. Keep going.’ That emotional support pulled me out of a dark place.”
G Spares’ impact goes beyond sales. The company hires locally – currently six permanent employees plus seasonal staff – and plans to train and promote youth as it scales. It is also making plans to run annual roadshows on car safety, tyre checks, battery care and responsible driving.
“Road safety is community safety,” Gedzu says. “If we keep one family moving when it matters, that’s a win. And if we can spark a positive car culture among young people – curiosity, maintenance, pride in doing things right – we’re building something bigger than a store.”
Gedzu has big dreams to replicate the micro-branch model in other remote and rural locations where demand is high but service is thin. The name “G Spares” was intentional: a brand that travels.
“Our setup cost is a fraction of the big guys,” G explains. “That lets us go where they can’t fast and still keep pricing accessible. It’s a win for customers, a win for local jobs, and a win for safer roads.”
Recently Gedzu launched his new book on Amazon: The 8th Wonder of the World chronicles his journey from tinkering with cars to building a business with a social heartbeat. It’s a heartfelt read about resilience, agency, and discovering the greatness within. It’s written for entrepreneurs, students, and anyone who needs proof that persistence pays.
G Spares is a participant business on the SAB Tholoana Enterprise Programme.
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About the Author
Terrena Rathanlall is the SME Media Portfolio Manager at Fetola.
