- A petrol attendant at BP Winmore in Moreleta Park helped a customer understand the value of a rewards programme during a challenging period in her life, encouraging her to sign up and use it for fuel purchases.
- Months later, the same customer won a brand new car through a competition linked to the programme and returned to personally thank the attendant whose kindness had lifted her spirits.
- Nedbank recognised Benson Laka’s role in the story by awarding him R10 000 in cash and investing another R10 000 towards his children’s future education.
A routine stop to fill up in Pretoria East became an extraordinary story of kindness, persistence, and the often-overlooked power of frontline service.
A petrol attendant who went the extra mile to help a customer make better financial choices is being celebrated for service excellence, after his advice and support blossomed into a moment that changed a life.
Benson Laka, a BP petrol attendant whose dedication to helping customers get more value for their money is a hallmark of his work, is now being recognised for the role he played in a life-changing moment for Tembeka Sonkwele.
A difficult day that turned into hope
Several months ago, Sonkwele drove into BP Winmore in Moreleta Park, Pretoria East, feeling overwhelmed by life. At the time, she was unemployed and navigating a tough period both personally and financially. Like many South Africans facing uncertainty, she was simply trying to get through the day. What she didn’t expect was that a routine stop to fill her tank would lead to a moment that would change her luck.
At the time, Nedbank was running a Greenbacks Rewards competition in partnership with BP, offering motorists a chance to win a brand-new Mini Cooper by swiping their Nedbank card for fuel. Laka saw the competition as an opportunity to lift Sonkwele’s mood and give her hope for a brighter tomorrow.
“Sometimes when customers come in, you can sense they are carrying a lot on their shoulders,” says Laka. “When Tembeka arrived that day, I could see she was going through a difficult time. I thought telling her about the competition would brighten her day and give her hope for tomorrow. I also wanted to let her know about the Greenbacks Rewards programme and how she could earn money back for every litre she fills. Maybe it could ease things for her financially. This is what we try to do every day for customers. We help them get the most value for their money.”
Sonkwele had never subscribed to rewards programmes before and was unaware of the value they could offer. With patience, knowledge, and his trademark friendly approach, Laka explained how the programme worked and how it could help her stretch her money further by giving her up to 50 cents back on every litre of fuel. He also hoped the possibility of winning a brand-new car would give her something positive to look forward to and lift her spirits.
From that moment, Sonkwele began actively benefiting from the Greenbacks Rewards programme. What started as a small decision at the pump soon delivered an extraordinary outcome: she went on to win the competition’s grand prize, a brand-new car.
A thank you that became a celebration
For Sonkwele, the prize was only part of the story. What stayed with her most was the kindness and encouragement she received on a day she needed it most.
“Benson didn’t just fill my tank, he filled me with hope,” she says. “I was going through a very difficult time and feeling uncertain about many things in my life. His kindness, patience, and willingness to help me understand the rewards programme made a real difference that day.”
After Nedbank handed over the car to her, Sonkwele let the bank know she wanted to return to the forecourt and personally thank Laka for the support he had shown her during that difficult moment.
“I wanted to come back and thank him because his service and positivity helped change the direction of my story,” she says. “After Nedbank handed over the car to me, I told them I wanted to thank Benson personally. They recognised the importance of this gesture and the value of celebrating someone who truly deserves recognition. I am very grateful for that.”
Recognising frontline service champions
As part of the celebration, Benson Laka received a R10 000 cash token of appreciation from Nedbank to help alleviate immediate financial pressures. The bank also contributed an additional R10 000 towards a tax-free investment account to support the future education of his children.
Darmesh Bana, Executive Product Manager for Loyalty and Rewards at Nedbank, says the story highlights the important, yet often overlooked, role played by frontline service champions across South Africa’s service economy.
“Petrol attendants are often considered the darlings of the service industry,” Bana says. “We were moved by Tembeka’s thoughtfulness and her desire to thank the person who made a difference during a difficult moment in her life. Her gesture reflects the kind of humanity and gratitude that help build stronger communities.”
“At the same time, Benson’s dedication reminds us how frontline service champions often help customers make better financial decisions, sometimes without even realising the lasting impact they are creating.”
A father motivated by his children’s future
Laka, a father of two whose wife is currently looking for work, says one of his biggest motivations is creating a better future for his children. Saving for their education, particularly tertiary studies, remains a top priority as he works to build a stable life for his family.
“I am deeply grateful for this gesture,” Laka says. “I always try to give my best to every customer because you never know what someone might be going through. Sometimes people arrive here worried or stressed, and if I can make their day a little better by helping them save money or sharing opportunities that might benefit them, then I feel I have done my job well.”
“I want to thank Tembeka for coming back to thank me because it means a lot to me. I also appreciate Nedbank and BP for recognising the work we do every day.”
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