For the creation of opportunities for women in logistics, Southern Star launched its #TruckHer Campaign in August 2025, an initiative aimed at empowering women and opening doors in the truck driving industry, a field long dominated by men.
The campaign has already sparked a wave of excitement and ambition among Eswatini’s women. According to Southern Star’s Human Resources and Training Officer, Nokuphila Mthethwa, the response since launch has been overwhelming.
“It has been an influx of applications from both experienced and inexperienced female drivers,” she said. “This reflects the lack of opportunities available out there for those who qualify. That is why Southern Star Logistics found it imperative to provide this platform to break that narrative.”
The #TruckHer Campaign has so far attracted over 50 applications through the company’s online recruitment portal on the Unitrans website, demonstrating a strong appetite among women to take up the challenge and redefine gender roles in the transport sector.
Currently, Southern Star employs 10 women drivers, eight serving in the agriculture sector and two in the fuel industry.
The company hopes to expand this number through the ongoing campaign, despite facing challenges in sourcing qualified women drivers for heavy-duty fuel trucks, a role that demands a heavy-duty license held for at least five years and equivalent hands-on experience.
Empowerment through training and mentorship
Training for the new recruits is well underway at Southern Star’s Matsapha depot, where the company has established a comprehensive in-house programme to prepare the drivers for the road ahead.
“Our training begins in the classroom,” explained Mthethwa. “We equip candidates with theoretical knowledge on road safety, traffic rules, vehicle handling and the professional responsibilities of being a driver. Once they’ve mastered the theory, they move to the practical sessions using our state-of-the-art Unidrive module.”
This step-by-step approach ensures that by the time the women take the wheel, they are not only confident, but also well-prepared to handle the challenges of the road safely and professionally.
Southern Star’s commitment doesn’t end with training. The company takes pride in providing continuous mentoring for its drivers through its team of experienced trainers and driver mentors.
“Training in Southern Star Logistics does not start and stop in the classroom,” Mthethwa emphasised.
“It extends into operations with ongoing mentorship to ensure that our drivers continue to grow and excel.”
Applications still open
For women who missed the first round, there’s good news, applications for the #TruckHer campaign remain open. Interested candidates can still apply through the Southern Star online recruitment portal found on the Unitrans website.
A step towards inclusion
The #TruckHer Campaign is more than just a recruitment drive, it’s a movement. It challenges long-held stereotypes, gives women a platform to prove their skill and resilience and brings Eswatini one step closer to gender inclusion in the logistics sector.
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