The logistics and transport industry has traditionally been male-dominated, but women are increasingly playing a vital role in shaping its future. In this episode of the Unitrans Podcast, host Francisco Nwamba speaks with Cynthia Thala and Mavis Ndumo, two accomplished Unitrans drivers and #IvecoThankYouTrucker winners, about their personal journeys, the opportunities available to women in the industry, and the impact they are making on the road and within their organisations.
Drawing on their own experiences, Cynthia and Mavis share what inspired them to pursue careers in transport, the challenges they have overcome, and the importance of resilience, safety and professionalism. The conversation highlights how advances in technology and automation are making the industry more accessible, while also addressing the barriers women still face and the need to continually prove their capabilities in traditionally male environments.
The discussion also explores the value that women bring to the logistics sector, including strong safety awareness, adherence to procedures, operational excellence and leadership by example. Through stories of career progression, work-life balance and mentoring, Cynthia and Mavis demonstrate how determination, support networks and ongoing training can help women build successful, long-term careers in transport and logistics.
0:05
Hello and welcome to another episode of the Unitrans Podcast. Today we’ll be discussing leadership, inclusion, and the growing role of women in shaping Africa’s logistics and transport sector. Logistics has traditionally been male dominated, yet progress and growth depend on widening participation and leadership diversity.
0:27
Joining me in the conversation today is #Ivecothankyoutrucker winners, Cynthia Thala and Mavis Ndumo.
0:33
Welcome ladies and thank you for joining us. We look forward to discussing how women are contributing toward change, leadership capability, and organisational effectiveness across the industry.
0:44
Please tell us a bit about yourselves.
0:47
My name is Cynthia Thala, I was born and raised in Gauteng.
0:52
I started working as a bus driver and then I’m embarked my journey with Unitrans in 2019. 2023 I won an award, #Thankyoutrucker. It was a nice experience, and I think the people that are around me that will be for Vusi Nkuna, Pulane and Sam, they’re very supportive with us. They take care of us as women drivers. Even the safety in Unitrans is amazing.
1:29
That’s great to hear. Mavis?
1:32
My name is Mavis Ndumo, 52 years old. I joined the transport industry in 2008. I’ve been driving for 17 years; I just got promoted. Now I’m a master driver, driver trainer.
1:52
I joined Unitrans in 2021 in consumer and then I went to chemicals and then now I’m in Alrode in petroleum industry, Inland.
2:04
Very nice, very nice to hear. It’s amazing what illustrious careers you both had. So, Cynthia and Mavis, tell us what first drew you to driving trucks? Was there somebody who inspired you to do this or how did it all come about?
2:18
I started working at Engine Garage. I used to be the receiver of the truck, so whenever I look at it, I said: “What? I can do this.” I started taking my code 14 and then went to bus driving and then after bus driving, I embarked my journey with Unitrans 2019. I started working as a bulk vehicle operator with Unitrans. It was something that I wanted to do.
2:52
It sounds like an interesting journey. Was it quite intimidating going from seeing these trucks now at the garage and now going and driving these trucks. That difference… Tell us a little bit about how it feels like going from there to that.
3:05
I used to imagine driving a truck. It means when you think positive, things will happen the way you think, like if you do good again, good will follow you. It was a nice experience and I couldn’t believe it. I always prayed about it. Then I knew that God is there in my life because when I asked something in His name, He always gives me.
3:30
I started driving in 2008, as I said, joining the transport industry. I was a bus driver, doing international driving, international tourist. But for me, it’s my late father. When I was young, he used to take me with him to work because my father was a crane driver – those big machines. When I was young and he used to take me there. I didn’t know that one day it will end up like me. Because before he died, he was crying: “I wish you were a boy.” Even now, I wish I can wake him up and then he can see that I am a truck driver now because I used to go with you.
4:21
But if we look at the logistics in the transport sector, it’s a fact that it’s quite male dominated. What changes are you seeing in terms of female participation and leadership today?
4:31
The automation and technology. It makes things easier for women and in logistics when it’s easy, there’s no strength that’s required, because of the technology logistics can include more women.
4:52
We appreciate to join the trucking industry because you know, a long time ago it used to be a male dominated industry. Now we are in it, and it is still challenging every day. But as for me, I’m looking forward that more women can join the industry because our driving is much different.
5:24
But we know that there’s still barriers that still exist within the industry. What barriers would you say still exist within the logistics industry and what practical actions have you seen make a meaningful difference to the industry?
5:37
We have to prove our competency more than men, so that people can recognise you that you can do it.
5:48
To add to that. Remember, we are females and we are coming now. There are some, they might feel we’re taking their jobs, but the way we do it, it can look like we are more than the men doing it.
6:06
That diversity is a good thing. We need that diversity.
6:13
How would you say that diversity in leadership contributes to better decision making, the culture within the industry and also the organisational resilience within the industry as well?
6:25
It’s a challenging job for women, but you must make sure that you always keep your safety first? I think if you’re doing that, then it will cover everything, safety first all the time.
6:38
I would say that women are more vigilant. Women, follow standard working procedure. They will always do the right thing because we always look for excellency. So, the risk will be minimum.
7:01
You make such a valid point in that because we know that women bring in such great strengths within the industry. And if you look at now the frontline, what would you say the strength of being a woman are in the frontline when it comes to working in the industry?
7:17
I think, we are doing good. We are good examples. If they can put us to the front line as women, we can do better.
7:29
Also, we are the greatest examples. We make other people believe in us and wishing to be where we are because on the road when you’re a woman, like men would be: “huh, it’s a woman that is driving a truck.” They are always amazed. They’ll applaud hands for you. I think you also motivate them that, as a man, they can do it.
7:56
That is true. I’m sure there must be quite a few initiatives that have been put in place to help women within the industry. Can you name some examples of initiatives that are woman-led that have been quite successful within the industry?
8:09
There’s a lot. I’ve been 17 years on the road. No accident for all the time doing cross-border. So that’s it. I think that’s an example.
8:23
To add on that, Unitrans is very vigilant with safety, and they put cameras so that they can check the behaviour of the driver. They give us flash cards, which is, before offloading your truck, you must know that you are safe. They minimise the risk, at all times.
8:45
And the training that they provide us, that help us a lot because, remember, most of the truck drivers are not trained. So, the training, it helps us a lot.
8:57
It’s great to hear that there’s such great initiatives, from a training perspective, from a support perspective as well, which is great.
9:05
And a very supportive management as well.
9:08
Like they say: “teamwork makes the dream work.” But now looking into the future as the industry continues to evolve, what conditions would you say would best support women to build long term careers and leadership pathways within logistics?
9:25
I think they must continue hiring more women because as we’ve previously said that women do things excellently. They will save a company cost because when they are cornering, they do it smart. They don’t accelerate much, so they save the company cost.
9:53
It’s my wish to see more female truck drivers joining the industry. And then, I think, there will be a lot of changes including less accident, because if you look, you will see that more accidents on the road, it’s men. I’m not saying that women are not involved in accidents, but we are more careful than men. That’s one is 100%.
10:20
I can agree on that.
10:23
How does that work life balance actually workout? The hours are long. That’s a fact. So how does balancing all of that come together?
10:31
Yeah, most of the time, like me as a single mom, I use my phone to balance everything. As soon as I get that, 30 minutes, 20 minutes break, then I have to check on them most of the time.
10:45
So, mommy is still watching.
10:46
I raised them with the phone. Just imagine, from Grade 1 until university, while I’m away.
10:52
Wow, and I’m sure your father would be very proud.
10:55
That’s why I say, I wish I can wake him up to see his image now, because I’m his image because he used to say: “Ah, when you grew up. I want you to drive this big machine.”
11:06
How do people react normally when they hear that you drive trucks for a living for the both of you? Are people shocked? Are people quite taken aback that you drive trucks?
11:15
People, they’re always shocked. They are always shocked because they believe that this is the male dominated area. We’re not supposed to be there. But, when I see or talk to them, they say that we inspire them. They wish they can also do that. And I always motivate them that if I can do it, you can do it as well.
11:38
Coming back to the fact on how do we balance? I’m a mother of three. I have a husband who also drives trucks, so I have a very supportive family. My mom, she is always there taking care of my children. I don’t have that stress because I also use the phone to check on them. And then we’ll be telling them, because they’ll always ask: “Mum, when are you coming back?” I’ll be like, no, let’s count the days. And I then also teach them how to count when I’m coming. So, it’s not easy, but it’s worth it.
12:19
And now your day-to-day. What does your day look like normally? What does a normal day look like for you? And what does like a hectic day look like for you?
12:28
For me, I start at 6:00 when I wake up for day shift. But then, because I like to be early, I would clock in 4:30, check my RIS, check my truck, make sure that I check everything. Because when you’re out, the truck belongs to you. If anything happens, it’s going to come back to you.
12:53
I will check my truck, take instruction from my supervisor, knowing that sometimes you get the truck loaded immediately. I will start embarking my journey very early so that if I get stuck in traffic, I know that I’m still on time. So, I have nothing to panic about.
13:11
Wow. It’s great to hear such coordination and just how you balance everything like that. That is incredible.
13:17
Yeah, we do try to start earlier because you know, your job, you know where you’re going, so you must plan your journey. For us, as women, we like to start earlier so that we can balance our job. Then you can finish and you can go home and sometimes avoid the traffic. That is the main problem, because stuck in the traffic for two hours is not easy.
13:44
And also you strive to be better than men. I remember there was a time that we were transporting to Ermelo. From Joburg to Ermelo. Now there was a sleep over in Ermelo. My supervisor told me to go to Pretoria and load a truck off to Ermelo. I had the three stops. I made sure that by 8:00 I’m back at the depot. There was a while from my supervisor, Mr Nkuna. He cut the sleep out and said, now these people can do it. If she can do it, they can do it. There’s no longer a sleep out in Ermelo. It’s an in and out.
14:36
That is incredible to you. And would you say now what is your proudest moment within the industry? I mean, hearing something like that is phenomenal that you’ve set the standard for other truckers out there. So, what would you say is your proudest moments in the industry?
14:49
The proudest moment is when I do coach every time. I don’t like to have incidents. I make sure that I follow all the working procedure. I love what I’m doing. What motivates me is every time there is an inspection from our customer, Total, my boss will always choose me, saying send it to Cynthia. So that makes me feel that there’s something good that I’m doing.
15:18
And I’m happy to be the brand of Unitrans and to represent Unitrans because when I’m out there, I know that I am Unitrans. If anything happens, they’re going to say Unitrans. They won’t say Cynthia.
15:32
It’s amazing to hear just the pride that you have for your job. It’s such an inspiration.
15:37
I love my job a lot.
15:39
Very great to hear.
15:40
Each and every day we take pride in our job. Like me now, I’m not driving, but I think I miss my truck.
15:53
They even know, I drive TV 0250. They know that that’s my truck. They know that if they see TV 0250, they see me.
16:06
And Mavis, what you say is your proudest moment?
16:09
I take pride each day in my job. And I would like to thank Unitrans for opening the doors for us, especially as women. Each and every day I take pride in my job. I make sure that everything, everything is done well and safely. Safety, that is everything.
16:34
Remember, when we are out from our houses, our children, our husband are waiting for us to come back. All of that belongs to me. If do I do the right thing or if I cut corners. It depends on me.
16:48
So I have to do the right thing. At all times follow the procedure. Make sure that even with the customers, you don’t teach them the wrong thing. Because I always get the comments. Other drivers will say to me, the people from the garages, they will say about me, “you are strict,” because they know that when I’m there, I mean business.
17:12
But at the same time, I do a customer service a lot because I know if anything happens, Unitrans will go down. So, I make sure that I protect Unitrans.
17:25
Just some parting words. What advice would you give to young females who are looking to join the industry today? How would you advise them in terms of how they can join and what initiatives they can do to get better within the industry?
17:39
It’s not an easy thing to do. You must follow your heart. Don’t let fear stop you. I wish more females can join the industry.
17:54
I would say that life is a journey. Find mentors like us. Find programmes. Do your Code 14. There’s learnerships, there is information everywhere and nothing can stop you if you want something. And pray about everything, at all times.
18:13
We can all agree that this has been an inspirational and informative episode. We’ve learnt that inclusive leadership strengthens organisations and industries as a whole. Once again, we’d like to thank you, Cynthia, and Mavis for joining us for this insightful conversation and for your honest insights and lived experience.
18:33
You’ve both helped us to see that empowering women in logistics is not just about representation, but about unlocking capability, resilience, and long-term contribution.