Zwelakhe Mndebele walks through the shared premises of All-in-One and Soweto Xpress Autobody. He points to the various sections of the business that make it work together. Looking at the different workspaces, he knows that this is just a glimpse of what the emergency response service actually delivers. And it all started because he loved to fix cars.
All-in-One Emergency is an emergency response service aggregator that has built a network of emergency service operators nationwide.
From Fixing Cars to Solving Problems
Mndebele started an informal mechanical repair in response to his own unemployment. He didn’t want to be another statistic in the ever-growing unemployment rate. “Before I started as a mechanic, I was just a matriculant sitting at home without work. But I fell in love with cars because I had been repairing cars all along,” says Zwelakhe Mndebele, Founder and Managing Director of All-In-1 Emergency.
And although it took some time for this business to gain traction, by 2006 it needed a new, bigger space for its workshop and three more assistants.
But this was only the beginning – it was only a flicker of the business that was yet to form.
It started to offer towing and roadside assistance services, which was made possible by a fleet of cars, multiple drivers, agents, mechanics and the call centre that processed distressed calls.
“We wanted to address the roadside emergencies that occur around Soweto,” he shares.
In 2010, it started to take shape and All-in-One as we know it was founded. Just like any business, it had financial ups and downs, but it survived each hurdle to become the comprehensive automotive solutions call centre with a reach across all nine provinces. Through its strategic partnerships and 500 skilled service providers, the business brings 24/7 emergency assistance to urban and rural areas.
“We understand our government is overwhelmed with crime, with emergencies, so we’ve got a whole lot of service providers from the private sector that can assist.” The network of service providers has been built by Mndebele, travelling across the country, meeting them and connecting with them.
The All-in-One Emergency App
All-in-One is backed by an innovative mobile application that all South Africans can access. It is available for free in the Google Play Store and doesn’t require a sign-up fee.
“If you are stranded, stuck or need an ambulance anywhere in South Africa, you can access the digital platform,” Mndebele states.
A wide array of services is available on the app. These emergency services include:
- Roadside Assistance
- Medical Emergencies
- Security Services
- Locksmith Services
- Mechanical Tow Services
- Jump-Start Services
- Tyre Change
- Fuel Delivery
It is currently a cash-based app, but turning it into a subscription model is in the pipeline.
Solving Emergencies and Unemployment
Mndebele and his team realised while towing cars that these vehicles need to land somewhere, either at a mechanical shop or at a panel shop.
“Towing cars for all these years out of Soweto into Alberton, Wynberg and Sandton, an opportunity was in front of us to establish a state-of-the-art facility that can then provide these (panel beating and mechanical) services.” To Mndebele, this was an obvious business opportunity that not only provides convenience, but also addresses the unemployment issues within Soweto – one of the biggest townships in the country. All-in-One is itself employing over 80 people.
All-in-one is not only focused on creating employment, but also addresses it amongst women. 80% of management consists of female leaders.
However, the most important characteristic of an employee for this business is their seriousness in learning and committing to the job. All-in-One takes training and skills development for its workshop employees extremely seriously, emphasising why the business has positioned itself as a trustworthy service provider.
Being the Best Requires Intensive Investment
Building the business to where it is today did not come cheap. They have been spending over 15 million rand over 15 years, and remaining a quality, reliable service provider means spending more. “We want to have our approvals in place to work on vehicles such as Hyundais, Kia, and your Japanese and Chinese brands. So, to be able to get there, we need a certain type of machine and specialised work areas like carports, and we need to put in an electronic measuring system.” Mndebele credits the ability to invest these moneys to his banking partner, Standard Bank.
But funding is only one part of growing a business. “More than funding, and with our digital platform in place, we need more business.
“If we could be a first line when accidents happen, we can send our guys that are already on the roads and increase that business, which will see us grow.” Mndebele also explains that offering this type of repair service in a large township such as Soweto is also a growth catalyst: “It’s much easier for locals to move their vehicles this side as opposed to taking them 50 kilometres away for repairs.
He hopes to further expand to other townships because All-in-One is essentially a proof of concept that can offer township residents convenience, support and jobs. “We’ve got the clients, we know the network, we know exactly what to do. So, what took me 25 years to build towards can be replicated by a like-minded person in Mafikeng, in KwaMashu, in any other township across South Africa, but I will shorten the circuit. Instead of him trying to do this for 25 years, it can be done in 2 years.”
