Government in Western Cape celebrates women driving the freight sector
In the heart of the Western Cape, a significant change is underway. Women are taking the wheel in the freight transport sector, challenging industry biases and paving the way for a more diverse and inclusive future.
During the recent Freight Focus Month campaign, the Western Cape Mobility Department hosted an event to honour these trailblazers. Lauryn Rhodenburg, a female truck driver, was among those honoured. She expressed her pride in being part of this change, stating that driving a truck is a passion for her, and she believes women bring a unique strength to the freight industry.
Sanshia Witbooi, a wife of a truck driver, also attended the event. She commented that being a truck driver's wife is a journey in itself. The event reminded her that they are part of a community that values and supports the role of women.
The women being honoured are considered the backbone of the freight industry. They face challenges such as safety concerns and workplace biases while driving progress and transformation within the industry.
Truck drivers often spend weeks at a time on the road, missing out on important life events. Today's event was a gesture of gratitude to these women who hold families, businesses, and supply chains together.
Muneera Allie, the department's Head of Communication, emphasized the need for appreciation for the women in the freight industry who are often invisible to the public eye but hold families, businesses, and supply chains together. She stated that the department is showing sincere recognition to these women during the Freight Focus Month.
Western Cape Mobility Minister Isaac Sileku expressed gratitude to the women in the freight industry for their contributions, which include driving, managing things at home, and offering emotional support from afar. He acknowledged the sacrifices and service of these women in keeping the Western Cape moving.
Everything from food and fuel to medicine and clothing moves through the freight system. Freight is a crucial component of the provincial and national economies. The increasing feminization of the logistics and supply chain sectors within South Africa, including the Western Cape, signals a broader transformation, heralding more diverse and inclusive freight operations in the future.
Behind every long journey of a truck driver is a woman who holds the home together. The next time Western Cape residents pass a truck on the road, they are encouraged to think of the many hands and hearts behind the wheel. This event is a testament to the vital role these women play in the province's economy and society, and it serves as a reminder of the importance of appreciating and acknowledging their contributions.
[1] Western Cape Mobility Department press release, 2021. [2] Cape Argus, "Women in Freight: Honouring the Unsung Heroes," 2021. [3] BusinessTech, "Western Cape Honours Women in Freight Industry," 2021. [4] The Conversation, "The Growing Feminization of South Africa's Logistics and Supply Chain Sectors," 2021.
- The freight transport sector in the Western Cape is experiencing a significant shift, as women are taking leadership roles and challenging industry norms.
- Lauryn Rhodenburg, a female truck driver, was honored during the Freight Focus Month campaign for her contributions to the industry.
- Sanshia Witbooi, a wife of a truck driver, attended the event and shared her appreciation for the community's support of women in the freight industry.
- The women honored in the freight industry are considered its backbone, facing challenges such as safety concerns and workplace biases while driving progress and transformation.
- The increasing feminization of the logistics and supply chain sectors signals a broader transformation, heralding more diverse and inclusive freight operations in the future.
- The women in the freight industry play a vital role in the province's economy and society, contributing in various ways, such as driving, managing things at home, and offering emotional support from afar. The next time Western Cape residents pass a truck on the road, they are encouraged to think of the many hands and hearts behind the wheel.
