Nine years ago, Rechaider Matloga found herself at a crossroads.
She had only been working as a till packer for a few weeks when she realised that the long hours and physical nature of the job were more demanding than she expected. On her feet all day, packing groceries, she began to question whether she had made the right choice. A conversation with her mother changed the trajectory of her career.
She said: “You have to start somewhere to be somewhere.”
Those words stayed with her.
Rechaider never gave up.
Today, at 32, Matloga is the branch manager of Petshop Science N1 City in Cape Town, a thriving store in South Africa’s fastest-growing pet retail business. It’s a role she never imagined she’d hold when she first started packing groceries.
Rechaider Matloga (32) is the branch manager of Petshop Science N1 City in Cape Town, a thriving store in South Africa’s fastest growing pet retail business. It’s a role she never imagined she’d hold when she first started packing groceries.
Originally from the village of Ga-Maponto in Limpopo, Matloga hadn’t planned on a career in retail. In 2016, while studying logistics, she overheard people on a train talking about the Shoprite Group’s Retail Readiness Programme, a skills development programme designed to equip unemployed youth with the knowledge and practical skills needed for a career in retail. Curious, she looked it up and applied.
After completing the Retail Readiness Programme, Matloga joined the Shoprite Group as a till packer at Checkers N1 City on 12 June 2017. As the years went by, she took every opportunity to learn. She asked questions, took on new responsibilities, and learnt from the people around her. Looking back, she says choosing to stay was one of the best decisions she ever made.
“We believe in creating opportunities for our people to build meaningful careers within the business. Through ongoing training, development and promoting from within wherever possible, employees like Rechaider progress into leadership positions. Her story shows what’s possible when talent and determination are matched with opportunity.”
– Lindsey Joseph, Head: Group Talent Solutions at the Shoprite Group.
Branch Manager Rechaider Matloga (centre), with colleagues at the Petshop Science N1 City store. Her journey from till packer to store leader reflects the growth opportunities available within the Shoprite Group.
One lesson, in particular, has stayed with Matloga:
“Your success is your own responsibility.”
Now leading her own team at Petshop Science N1 City, Matloga believes good leaders don’t just focus on results, they help people develop. One of her proudest moments has been mentoring a member of her team into a management role. She describes her leadership style as hands-on and believes the small things matter. Whether it’s making sure customers feel welcome or supporting a colleague to reach their potential, she tries to lead by example.
Outside of work, Matloga is a mother of three who enjoys listening to music and watching nature documentaries whenever she gets the chance.
She’s already setting her sights on the next step in her career and hopes to lead a larger store and continue building teams that look after customers, support the business, and make a positive difference in their communities.
Today, she’s grateful she didn’t give up all those years ago.
“You don’t have to have everything figured out when you start,” she says. “Retail is a place where you can build a lasting career, and your start is never your end. Every role teaches you something, and if you’re willing to learn and keep showing up, you never know where it might take you.”
For Matloga, what was initially a short-term job turned into a career she loves. Nine years later, that decision changed her life.
Applications to the Shoprite Group’s Retail Readiness Programme (RRP) remain open year‑round. Young people interested in joining the programme can WhatsApp “Hello” to 072 773 4335 and select “Our Stores” to apply.