Grabbing the future with both hands

Gabisile Fakude never planned to go into the transport business, but a chance meeting steered her onto a new course. As ROWAN WATT-PRINGLE discovers, the McCarthy Commercial Alrode dealer principal never looked back after seizing her opportunity.

Fakude laughs when asked if she always wanted to be involved in commercial vehicles. “Definitely not! I planned to be a chartered accountant, but when I found myself in the industry my blood turned to diesel… I fell in love!”

Meeting Liza-Marie Brooks, who became a trusted mentor, planted a trucking seed in her heart. “Liza-Marie was telling me about her exciting role in truck sales and that’s when I started to develop an interest in the industry. We kept in touch and in 2011 she called me to say UD Trucks Southern Africa (UDTSA) was looking for women for a new learnership programme,” she remembers. “I took the chance, even though I would lose money moving from a fulltime job into training. It was my foot in the door to financial freedom – training at the factory was actually the best time of my life. It was a journey of greatness!”

Fakude attributes some of her success to always striving to improve. “I was earmarked as part of Bidvest McCarthyGroup’s succession planning, so I equipped myself academically, while the group also supported me academically, and I received training and insights into a higher managerial role,” she says. When the McCarthy Commercial Alrode dealer principal role opened up, the group looked internally and escalated succession plans. “They had seen my performance and accolades and believed I was the right fit for the role,” says Fakude. “It meant a shift in the power dynamics and relationships within the dealership, but I told myself: ‘You’re going to make this work, to show that it’s possible to thrive in a leadership role having worked your way up the ladder’.

“There were people who tried to undermine women in authority positions, but this never changed my ambition,” she continues, reiterating: “I made sure I didn’t give anything to support these misconceptions. I wanted to prove them wrong! As women, we are able to change stereotypes and grow in this industry. It’s still a very close-knit industry where only a few women get recognition, but things are improving.”

Despite facing challenges in a male-dominated industry, Fakude’s ambition and support structures gave her the resilience to persevere: “I’ve always had the best bosses and mentors. With every challenge, they broadened my thinking capacity to look at the bigger picture. Personal support structures are also crucial; my husband is very supportive of my career path, and integrating your work and family goals is key.”

She adds that it’s important to open up opportunities not just to women, but to a diverse spectrum of society. “This is part of my focus in the dealership: through inclusivity we can change stigmas attached to the commercial vehicle space.”

Since starting with UDTSA in 2011, the brand captured her heart. “I want to be part of a brand that believes in empowering women and recognises that it doesn’t matter where you come from, so long as you make the most of your opportunities. The people I’ve met and the networks I’ve built at UDTSA are truly special,” she enthuses.

Fakude believes South Africa will reach a level playing field as society evolves. “I’m excited for the future of women in the trucking industry. For young women who might not be considering this industry, do not let opportunities pass you by. I’ve achieved so much more than I could have with my original plans. UDTSA gave me that first opportunity and has continued to contribute so much. I was never denied growth opportunities and I am continuing to grow.”