The Minister of Mobility for the Western Cape, Isaac Mbulelo Sileku, honored women truck drivers for their significant role in South Africa's freight transport sector during the 'Women in Freight Transport' event, organized by the Western Cape Department of Mobility in Cape Town.
The event, held in Cape Town on Monday, gathered women truck drivers to exchange experiences, discuss career prospects, and acknowledge the valuable contribution of women to an industry traditionally dominated by men. It also provided an opportunity to discuss specific challenges faced by female truck drivers, including personal safety while traveling and working on the roads.
To raise awareness about the situation, confidence, and safety skills, practical self-defense training was provided to the women. Isaac Sileku, the Minister of Mobility for the Western Cape, emphasized the necessity of ensuring the safety of women both at work and on the road. He stated that the government and the industry must work together so that women feel safe, regardless of their role—whether driving a truck, working at a terminal, inspecting transport, or managing operations.
Sileku noted that this event served as a platform to address the barriers women face in this field. The self-defense training contributed to empowerment by increasing situational awareness, confidence, and safety skills, thereby affirming every woman's right to safety at work and on the road.
Additional safety threats for female truck drivers include long journeys, night shifts, working alone, and stops at unfamiliar rest areas or loading sites. According to Sileku, research conducted by the University of Technology of Vaal shows that women constitute about 28% of the workforce in South Africa's transport and logistics sector, and slightly over 4% in the road freight sector.
He added that these figures demonstrate the need to create more opportunities for women to enter the industry, build careers, and take on leadership positions, while simultaneously ensuring safe working conditions.
The Department will continue to collaborate with the freight transport industry to promote opportunities for women and improve safety at work and on the road.