Following the departure of the Springs SPCA shop assistant Thandiwe Nkosi, the shelter has announced Petunia Aplen (36) as the new shop assistant starting in March.

Nkosi, who has been the assistant for five years, left the role to be a teacher in Mpumalanga.

Aplen, from Kwa-Thema, is not a stranger to the SPCA, as she has been working as an administrator since August 2025.

She told the Springs Advertiser that she took the new role because working in the front office gave her a deep understanding of how vital the shop is to the shelter’s survival.

Aplensaid that she saw how every donation and every sale makes a difference in the lives of the animals and felt ready to take on the responsibility and do her best.

She expressed excitement and felt honoured to be taking on the big responsibility, but also sees it as a beautiful opportunity for her to grow.

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“I saw it as a chance to challenge myself and contribute in a more direct way to the shelter’s sustainability,” said Aplen.

Aplen expressed that working for the SPCA means purpose. It’s more than a job. It’s being part of something that gives a voice to the voiceless.

She said that knowing that her work contributes to the well-being of vulnerable animals is deeply fulfilling.

Aplen will be filling the shoes of a woman who was considered to have turned the shelter’s shop around and Aplen said that she has great respect for the foundation Nkosi laid.

“Following in her footsteps means continuing her legacy of dedication, compassion, and hard work. I don’t want to replace her, but to continue the good work she started and make her proud,” she said.

Coming from an administrator role, she said she learned the importance of organisation, communication, and consistency.

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She also learnt how crucial community relationships are, adding that those skills will help her manage the shop efficiently, keep supporters informed, and ensure everything runs smoothly.

Aplen shared her plans for the shop, which include focusing on strong relationships with donors and customers, and maintaining a welcoming, well-organised shop environment.

She said she will also work hard to ensure they reach their targets.

“Supporters can expect fresh energy, themed sales and more engagement with the community. I’d love to explore special discount days, community partnerships, and possibly showcasing unique donated items in creative ways,” said the new assistant.

She expressed that stock consistency, meeting financial targets, and dealing with difficult customers can be challenging. However, she believes clear boundaries, good planning, and teamwork will help overcome those obstacles.

Aplen concluded by saying that in a year from now, she would love to see the shop doing very well financially and being even more supportive of the shelter’s needs.