WASSA Gasses : A 100% women-owned business operating in the energy sector. The entrepreneurs are Ms Nokwanele Qonde, a 60% shareholder, and Ms Thandekile Sibisi who holds a 40% stake. Here is an overview of WASSA Gas with an overview on Nokwanele Qonde
Nokwanele Qonde is the founder and managing director of Wasaa Gasses, an independent, 100% black-owned, 80% black-women owned, controlled, and managed business. Wasaa Gasses was established in 2008 and is a leading commodity trader in South Africa, with a global position and a primary focus on the marketing and trading of crude oil and petroleum products. Qonde has over 13 years of experience in the oil and gas sector, as well as eight years of experience in the petroleum products trading industry.
Under Qonde’s leadership, Wasaa Gasses has received numerous awards and recognitions, including Best Business Woman of the Year in 2013 and Best Woman-Owned Business in 2013 by Top Media/Standard Bank South Africa. Qonde herself was awarded the ViE LPGSASA Best Woman Award in May 2017 and was appointed as the Chairperson of the Petroleum and Liquid Fuels Sector Charter Council in May 2018.
In recent news, Wasaa Gasses has acquired bp Southern Africa’s liquid bulk fuels import terminal, marking a significant transformation deal in the industry. The deal is the culmination of years of hard work, grit determination, and unwavering resilience in an industry that is largely white and male dominated, according to Qonde. The acquisition further solidifies Wasaa Gasses’ position as a leading player in the South African energy sector.
Wassa Gasses
Wassa Gasses is an independent South African petroleum and petrochemical company that specializes in LP Gas infrastructure, fuels, chemicals, and logistic assets. The company serves various refining and downstream players in South Africa and SADC. Wassa Gasses is a black woman-owned company that was founded in 2015 by Nokwanele Qonde, who is currently the Managing Director.
Wassa Gasses is committed to providing its customers with high-quality products and services at competitive prices. The company has a strong focus on safety, health, and environmental sustainability, and it adheres to the highest standards in these areas. Wassa Gasses has a team of experienced professionals who are dedicated to ensuring that the company’s customers receive the best possible service.
The company’s LP Gas division is a key focus area, and it offers both bulk and cylinder supply to customers throughout southern Africa. The LP Gas division is supported by a state-of-the-art logistics infrastructure, which includes a fleet of modern vehicles and a network of storage facilities. Wassa Gasses’ LP Gas division is known for its reliability, safety, and excellent customer service.
Wassa Gasses has received several awards and recognitions for its outstanding performance in the petroleum and petrochemical industry. In May 2017, Nokwanele Qonde was awarded the ViE LPGSASA Best Woman Award. In May 2018, she was appointed as the Chairperson of the Petroleum and Liquid Fuels Sector Charter Council. In 2018, Wassa Gasses was named the Best LPG & Petrochemicals Supplier in the MEA Business Awards. These awards and recognitions are a testament to the company’s commitment to excellence and its dedication to providing its customers with the best possible service.
Energy in South Africa
South Africa is a country rich in natural resources, including coal, oil, gas, and renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. The country has a diverse energy mix, with coal being the main source of energy for electricity generation, followed by nuclear, gas, and renewable energy sources.
The South African government has set ambitious targets for the country’s energy sector, including increasing the share of renewable energy in the energy mix and reducing carbon emissions. In 2019, the government launched the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), which outlines the country’s energy mix for the next decade. The plan aims to increase the share of renewable energy in the energy mix to 40% by 2030.
Despite the country’s abundance of natural resources, South Africa faces significant challenges in its energy sector. The country experiences frequent power outages due to an aging energy infrastructure and insufficient investment in new energy capacity. In recent years, the government has implemented various measures to address these challenges, including the introduction of independent power producers and the liberalization of the energy sector.
Nokwanele Qonde, the CEO of WASAA Gasses South Africa, has been a vocal advocate for the development of the country’s energy sector. She has emphasized the importance of investing in new energy capacity and diversifying the energy mix to reduce the country’s reliance on coal. Qonde has also called for greater investment in renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
In conclusion, South Africa’s energy sector faces significant challenges, but also presents significant opportunities for growth and development. The country’s abundant natural resources and ambitious targets for renewable energy provide a strong foundation for the sector’s future growth. However, significant investment and policy reforms will be necessary to overcome the challenges facing the sector and realize its full potential.
Understanding Nokwanele Qonde
Nokwanele Qonde is a prominent figure in the energy sector of South Africa. She is the founding member and Managing Director of Wasaa, an independent, 100% black-owned, 80% black-women owned commodity trader in South Africa.
With over 13 years of experience in the oil and gas sector and 8 years of experience in the IT sector, Nokwanele Qonde has become an expert in the industry. Her leadership and expertise have been instrumental in Wasaa’s success as a leading emerging commodity trader in South Africa with a global position.
Nokwanele Qonde’s leadership has been recognized by various organizations. In 2018, she was named the Top Woman in Energy by Standard Bank and Topco Media. In 2019, she was listed as one of the Top 50 Women in Oil and Gas by African Energy Chamber.
Nokwanele Qonde’s success is a result of her dedication to empowering women in the energy sector. She has been a vocal advocate for women’s participation in the energy sector and has been instrumental in creating opportunities for women in the industry.
Under her leadership, Wasaa has become a 100% black-owned, 80% black-women owned business, controlled and managed by women. This is a testament to her commitment to gender equality and empowering women in the industry.
Overall, Nokwanele Qonde is a confident and knowledgeable leader in the energy sector, who has made significant contributions to the industry and has been recognized for her achievements.
Wassa Gasses and South African Energy Sector
Wassa Chemicals (Pty) Ltd. is a leading independent, black-women owned B-BBEE petrochemicals company in South Africa. The company is focused on acquisitions of assets in the chemicals space, and it has performance-driven operations in logistics, gases, trading, chemicals, and commodities [1].
The South African Energy Sector Report of 2021 shows that the country’s energy consumption is dominated by coal, which accounts for approximately 70% of primary energy supply. The report also highlights that renewable energy sources, including wind and solar, have been increasing steadily in recent years [2].
Wassa Gasses has been playing a significant role in the South African energy sector. The company provides a range of gas solutions to its customers, including industrial gases, medical gases, and specialty gases. Wassa Gasses also offers a range of services, including cylinder tracking, gas handling, and safety training [1].
Nokwanele Qonde, the Managing Director of Wassa, has over 13 years of experience in the oil and gas sector and 8 years of experience in the IT sector [4]. Her leadership and expertise have been instrumental in driving the growth of Wassa and its operations in the energy sector.
In 2022, Wassa acquired BP Southern Africa’s liquid bulk fuels import terminal in East London, marking a landmark transformation deal in the energy sector [5]. This acquisition has helped Wassa expand its presence in the energy sector and strengthen its position as a leading player in the South African petrochemicals industry.
Overall, Wassa Gasses has been making significant contributions to the South African energy sector. With its focus on acquisitions of assets in the chemicals space and performance-driven operations in logistics, gases, trading, chemicals, and commodities, the company is well-positioned to continue driving growth in the sector.
References:
WASSA Services
Wasaa Gasses Pty Ltd is an Independent South African Petroleum and Petrochemical company, serving the various refining and downstream players in South Africa and SADC, and with interest in LP Gas infrastructure and logistic assets.
Wasaa Chemicals (Pty) Ltd (“WC”) is a newly established company focused on acquisitions of assets in the chemicals space.

Wasaa Commodities Pty Ltd is a leading, independent commodity trader based in Gauteng, South Africa serving government, commercial, wholesale and retail markets.