BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – Southern Star Logistics Solutions is stepping up its commitment to women empowerment by launching an initiative aimed at recruiting and training at least 50 female truck drivers.
This was announced by the company’s Chairman, Wayne Lavendale, on July 29, 2025, during a ceremony held to appreciate the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) for their role in establishing the Malagwane Cooling Station. The station has been credited with significantly reducing road accidents along one of the country’s most dangerous stretches of highway.
Lavendale revealed that, of the company’s current workforce of over 100 truck drivers, only five are women. This imbalance, he said, has prompted Southern Star to actively seek and empower more women to join the industry. The initiative is not only intended to promote gender equality but also to give women access to job opportunities traditionally dominated by men.
He explained that Southern Star operates long-haul routes across the Southern African region, including demanding journeys to and from Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The company typically requires its drivers to possess a heavy-duty truck driver’s licence and a minimum of five years of experience on the road. However, Lavendale acknowledged that these conditions often pose a barrier to women entering the profession.
To address this challenge, Southern Star is offering a training programme specifically designed to equip women with the necessary skills and certification. The training will be conducted at the company’s facility in Matsapha. Women applying for the programme will only need to have a valid driver’s licence and a clean criminal and driving record.
“We are aware that not many women meet the standard criteria for long-haul trucking jobs,” said Lavendale. “This is why we’re creating a pathway that allows them to be trained and mentored into the profession.”
The company believes that by supporting and developing female drivers, it can help transform perceptions about gender roles in the logistics and transportation sector while also improving diversity and inclusivity within the workplace.
The initiative is expected to not only create employment but also inspire more women across the country to pursue careers in sectors previously seen as male-dominated.
