As Ballito has changed around her over the past 23 years, Engen Ballito cashier Nelly Zikhali has remained one of the town’s friendliest familiar faces.

She has been a positive presence at the fuel station since it opened in 2003 and is its longest-serving employee. Nelly remembers customers who first visited as children and are now regulars with children of their own.

“My colleagues and the customers feel like family,” she said.

“I am so happy to have spent so much time with these people.”

Nelly lives in Hambanathi, Tongaat, and enjoys going to the gym a few times a week to keep fit.

Engen Ballito managing partner Rajesh Ramperthab said Nelly is an integral member of the team and a great role model for newer staff.

He credited long-serving staff such as Nelly with contributing to the garage’s success, which was recently recognised at the 2026 North Coast Courier Best of Ballito Readers’ Choice Awards. Engen Ballito won Best Fuel Filling Station, Best Convenience Store and Best Car Wash.

“It’s because of people like her that we have a success story to write about at all,” he said.
“In good and bad times, it is people like Nelly who help keep the team together. We are extremely grateful to have had her with us for so long and hope we will have many more years together.”