Jennifer-leigh Esterhuizen

Fuel prices are moving again and for many transporters, it feels unpredictable. But when you step back and look at what’s actually happening globally, a clearer picture starts to form.

Recent global events have introduced significant volatility into the fuel market. Many businesses are asking what is actually happening and what it means for fuel availability and pricing, particularly in South Africa.
While the situation continues to evolve, several key developments are currently influencing the global energy market.
Recent global events have introduced significant volatility into the fuel market. Many businesses are asking what is actually happening and what it means for fuel availability and pricing, particularly in South Africa.
While the situation continues to evolve, several key developments are currently influencing the global energy market.

Let’s start with a simple question.

When one of your trucks pulls in to refuel, is it topping up “just enough” or is it filling the tank properly?

Most fleets land somewhere in the middle. A bit here, a bit there. Enough to reach the next stop. Enough to feel safe. And honestly, that thinking makes sense. Fuel is expensive. Margins are tight. Nobody enjoys the idea of cash sitting in a diesel tank.

But here’s the thing. Over time, partial refuelling often costs more. Not loudly. Not all at once. It leaks value in small, frustrating ways that add up quicker than expected. This is where a full tank policy quietly earns its keep.

If diesel is one of your biggest operating costs, changes to the Diesel Refund Scheme are never just background noise. They affect planning, cash flow, and sometimes whether a job is still viable.
That’s why SARS’s latest announcement matters.
South Africa’s Diesel Refund Scheme is undergoing its biggest overhaul since its launch in 2001. The goal is simple on paper; reduce errors, tighten compliance and close loopholes. But on the ground, this shift could change how many transporters interact with the system entirely.

At TFN, pride is not something spoken about lightly, it is earned through action, consistency and care. For Amber Rabe, pride shows up every day in the dedication, skill and commitment of the people around her. It may sound simple, even familiar, but it is deeply felt. Being part of a team that shows up with purpose, day after day, is what makes TFN more than just a workplace. It makes it a place where people believe in what they are building together.

Some moments stand out because they remind us why we do what we do at TFN. For Henry McFadden, this year offered more than a few of those moments, from team spirit in full force to the satisfaction of seeing TFN’s impact across Southern Africa’s roads. His reflections capture the heart of our culture: driven, supportive and always moving forward together.

If you manage a fleet in South Africa, you probably know this feeling: you're buried in slips, drowning in spreadsheets and still sitting with gaps you can’t explain. You’re not alone. Industry assessments show that more than 60% of local fleets still rely on manual fuel slip collection and roughly 30% of those slips are incorrect or incomplete. Add in the fact that fleet managers spend about 10 hours a week just reconciling fuel usage and it becomes clear why so many feel overwhelmed before the day has even started. It’s not poor management, it’s an impossible system to keep up with.

Efficiency isn’t just about moving from point A to B anymore, it’s about moving with purpose, precision and insight. That’s exactly where TFN is redefining the future of transport.

Managing fuel from two sides: bulk deliveries and on-road refuelling can feel like steering a truck with two steering wheels. Everyone’s working hard, but not in the same direction. Two invoices here, three reports there, drivers waiting for approvals, finance chasing paperwork. It’s no wonder transporters lose time, money and patience.

Picture this: a truck leaves the yard, the engine is humming, tyres are good, driver is ready. All looks well. But somewhere down the line the fuel stop is delayed, a depot is full, the load hasn’t been updated and the customer is asking where the load is. You know what? The truck is just a piece of the puzzle. If you treat it in isolation, you’re leaving value on the table.