Africa celebrates Women’s Success in Transport Sector
South African trade event honours female pioneers in the industry with a focus on upskilling and opening more doors.
In recent years, there have been great strides to close the gender gap by developing and implementing empowerment programmes focused on building soft business and complex technical skills.
Transport Evolution Africa Forum & Expo focuses on the industry’s trailblazers achieving career success, shattering glass ceilings, and opening doors for other women.
This Women’s Month, they are calling for nominations for the Women in Transport Awards (WITA) to be held on 29 September 2022 in Durban, South Africa. The 5th annual Women in Transport Awards aims to recognise and celebrate the success of women transforming the transport sector’s face and course.
“I would like to encourage women in the transport sector and say that it is possible. It’s the positive attitude that you put forward daily and the little things that contribute to big things,” says WITA Judge Sindiswa Mzama, Global President at Circle of Global Business Women.
#ICYMI Le-Ann Hare, our Portfolio Director spoke to @CapeTalk about Women In Transport Awards, 29 Sept 2022 #Durban 🇿🇦
— TransportEvo (@TransportEvo) August 26, 2022
Have you made your nomination yet? #NominateToday https://t.co/KnSSPMLHK9
WITA #Nominations Closing Soon!
#flashbackfriday #womensmonth #WomenInTransport pic.twitter.com/snP7Ak8ZBr
Previous winners include ‘Rising Star’ Elizabeth Marami, the First Officer of the cruise ship Celebrity Edge, and Lebogang Letsoalo, Chief Executive Officer at Sincpoint, a 100% female, black-owned organisation focused on supply chain consulting and advisory solutions.
In 2021, Letsoalo won Mentor of the Year, Best Women’s Skills Development of the Year, and the Excellence in Leadership Award.
Letsoalo returns in 2022 as a judge, alongside a panel comprising Sindiswa Mzamo, Global President of Global Women in Business, and Mercy Mokgatle-Sediti, President of the South African Black Business Group (SABBG) Women Holdings, which is an association partner.
Established to address the minimal quota of women in male-dominated industries, SABBG Women Holdings empowers women in business through mentorship, skills development, corporate skills transfer, financial strategies, and collaborations.
Letsoalo says: “The transport industry has some way to go to close the existing gender gap, and I believe it is important that we as women in transport lead the way in opening doors for others.
"You can’t be what you can’t see, but by shining a light on the opportunities that exist and helping to upskill women with transport-centric abilities, we have the ability to change the face of the industry.”
Besides the Women in Transport Awards, the Transport Evolution Africa Forum & Expo will co-locate with industry events, including KZN Construction Expo, Transport CEO Forum, and Roads Evolution Forum & Showcase.
Other highlights include the launch of the Export & Logistics Evolution Africa launch, powered by SAITEX, and the Transport Evolution Learning Academy.
“With over 50 port, rail, and road authorities represented at this year’s Transport Evolution Africa Forum & Expo, as well as 80 speakers and a range of free technical workshops, we look forward to welcoming transport professionals from all across Africa to what is bound to be a dynamic, in-person event,” said Le-Ann Hare, Portfolio Director for Transport Evolution at dmg events.
Top Photo provided by mimik.co.za: Trucks and Cars in a Parking Lot. (Source - Unsplash)
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