Logistics and transport qualifications for 95 women!

In a major milestone for members of the fairer sex in South Africa’s logistics, transport, and supply chain, 95 women have graduated with an international qualification in logistics and transport.

Their graduation forms part of the pioneering Women Inspiring Women to Lead in Transport programme, the brainchild of Nicci Scott, founder of the Commercial Transport Academy (CTA). Supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), a total of 1 000 women will complete the programme, which aims to uplift skills in management, entrepreneurship, and truck driving.

The graduates – currently employed in logistics, transport, and supply chain organisations across the country – underwent an intense 10-month training programme aimed at improving their knowledge, learning new skills and advancing their management and leadership abilities to secure senior-level employment.

Benefits for all

The programme has benefits for its graduates, employers, and the broader industry. Worldwide Flight Services – South Africa (WFS) is an active supporter. “WFS now has the edge in the market, with two women having participated in and successfully completed the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport’s (CILT’s) International Diploma in Logistics and Transport,” explains Elvis Maleka, operations manager at WFS Johannesburg.

Maleka adds that the CTA’s focus on women will assist in addressing the skills gap in the industry: “This is a gain for us as a ground handler and WFS is proud to be part of this change.”

As a result of her successful completion of the programme, Zethu Dlamini from WFS received a promotion from senior imports team leader to an administration manager for the Imports Department. For Dlamini, life has been full of hardships and challenges, having to endure and overcome many obstacles, including the loss of her mother at the age of four and her father when she was 21 years old. “If it were not for this great initiative of the CTA, I would never have been able to graduate with an international diploma. I am so grateful to WFS managing director Malcom Tonkin for enabling me to improve my skills and leadership abilities,” says Dlamini.

With their CILT Diploma and industry experience, the graduates will be able to apply to carry internationally-recognised designations after their name – an increasingly important asset, given National Treasury’s initiative to professionalise the supply chain.

Top Students

Special recognition was given to the top three graduates:

1. Jo-Anne de Jager, solutions manager at Unitrans Supply Chain Solutions
2. Annah Ncube, operations controller at Transnet Pipelines
3. Malebo Ndamase, director of Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport
   
   

 Special Awards

A special award was given to Jabulile Mtsweni, an operations supervisor, who was awarded funding from training provider Commerce Edge. This has enabled her to study for the CILT International Advanced Diploma in Logistics & Transport Level 6.

Transport, logistics, and supply chain play a critical role in economic development. Transport contributes 8% to the total GDP and has the ability to create four jobs per R1 million invested. “Yet transport is the least gender-transformed sector,” says Scott. “Urgent interventions on scale, that have an impact, are vital. Our Women Inspiring Women to Lead in Transport programme is one such initiative that will have a positive impact on industry transformation.”