Women Empowerment Conference Inspires Future Leaders in Transport and Logistics
The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport South Africa (CILTSA) successfully hosted its second Women in Logistics, Transport, and Supply Chain Empowerment Conference on Friday, October 25, at the Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre in Boksburg, Johannesburg.
The event, supported by industry leaders Air France, CMA CGM, Isuzu, JC Auditors, K3 Brokers, CVLC Communication, and MasterDrive, brought together influential women leaders to share insights, experiences, and strategies for success in the transport and logistics sector.
The impressive lineup of speakers included Dr. Nora Fakude, Executive Chairperson of Buscor; Pulane Tshabalala Kingston, CEO of voestalpine VAE SA and Founder of Mirai Rail Corporation; Glenda Maitin, CEO of BBOpex; Mihlali Gqada, Freight Specialist at the Department of Transport; Muriel Sahd, Chief Operating Officer at BidAir Cargo and Belinda Pather, CEO of TPS Group of Companies.
Regina Naicker, Head of Business Development for Africa at Castrol SA, served as the Programme Director and later shared valuable strategies for achieving work-life balance in the dynamic field of supply chain management. Her presentation highlighted the importance of setting realistic goals, establishing boundaries, and maintaining self-care practices.
A highlight of the conference was Kgatile Nkala’s session titled “Captivate the Room: Owning Your Stage and Mastering the Art of Presentation”. Nkala offered practical tips for effective public speaking and enhancing professional presence. As the Executive Manager of Corporate Services at the Transport Education Training Authority (TETA), she underscored the significance of confidence, authentic communication, and engaging with the audience.
The event included a comprehensive panel discussion on the support systems available for women in transport, logistics, and supply chain. Representatives from various organisations participated, including TETA, the Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Productivity SA and the Southern African Association of Freight Forwarders.
“This conference underscores our commitment to empowering women in transport, logistics and supply chain,” stated Catherine Larkin, Executive Director of CILTSA. “The diverse range of speakers and topics highlighted the abundance of opportunities within our industry and the critical need to support women’s advancement in these fields. By creating platforms for women to share their voices, ideas, and experiences, we enable them to challenge the status quo and foster positive change. It’s all about empowered women empowering other women.”
Other notable speakers included entrepreneur Florence Musundwa of Reign Supreme Holdings; Dr. Jessica Fraser, Senior Lecturer at the Nelson Mandela University Business School; Nobantu Mqulwana, Managing Director at Rising Tide Advisory & Project Management and Shevon Kotiah, Supply Chain Planner at Famous Brands.
The conference offered numerous networking opportunities and included prize giveaways throughout the day, fostering an engaging and interactive environment for all attendees.
“It was an incredible opportunity to connect, learn, and empower one another in this dynamic industry,” said Mbali Lelaka, a student at Vaal University of Technology. “The insightful discussions, networking opportunities, and inspiring keynote speakers all contributed to the event’s tremendous success. Thank you for highlighting the significant contributions of women in logistics and for fostering an environment where our voices can be heard,”
Rebecca Mchunu from SP Mchunu Logistics added, “It was an incredible event that CILTSA organised. I had the pleasure of learning about the remarkable achievements of the outstanding women in the transport and logistics industry. It’s inspiring to see such empowering examples, and it has motivated me to pursue my own path within this field.”
The success of this year’s conference underscores the increasing influence of women in the transport and logistics sectors, while also addressing the challenges and opportunities that await future leaders in the industry.
