Motivation
Muzi Ngobese is the youngest driver in his group, however, he has learnt the ropes of his role to the extent that senior management relies on him for financial advice, competent driver recruitment and following the correct procedure during the procurement of truck spares.
Upon the establishment of the operation, he was the entity’s only driver, yet he has ensured that senior management of the company – headed by women – was well assisted in the event of a breakdown. If there’s a need to procure spares and should there be new compliance requirements from client, he always takes it upon himself to ensure that what is required gets submitted and he also follows up get feedback for management.
In 2023, the revenue he generated made it possible for the entity to increase its fleet from 1 to 2 trucks. This was after the client increased demand because of the performance that one truck and one driver was able to achieve. The new driver learnt the ropes of how the client’s operation worked through Muzi’s determination for growth. He is selfless when it comes to sharing information/knowledge, and this eases the weight of the bosses – knowing that there is someone on the ground who is always willing to go beyond the call of duty to help the company grow.
Muzi has managed to keep his driver performance dashboard on excellent. With that said, he manages to meet or exceed the monthly targets while also adhering to safety compliance requirements.
Though alcohol remains a challenge in the transportation business, the entity has never had to request his breathalyzer results. They are required to submit these before the commencement of every shift through the iSober Pro device, which transmits their results to senior management remotely. This proves that he takes safety seriously and doesn’t want to put the company’s reputation at risk with its clients, as he has never had an incident of producing positive results.
In 2024, he reached all the set monthly targets and beat his workmate, except in April when his truck had a major breakdown due to a clutch problem. The level of his determination and performance has now afforded the entity the chance to be approved for two more trucks by the bank, meaning the fleet will have grown from one to four by the end of 2024.
The client has opened up more doors for our services, where we have gone from transporting only recycling waste to being awarded another agreement to transport finished goods.
Ultimately, this driver deserves to be recognised for his willingness to go beyond the call of duty by advising senior management on cost-saving strategies, knocking on doors on behalf of the entity, indirectly performing and exceeding his employer’s expectations and also being hands-on when the company employs a new driver. He ensures that the driver gets a grip on how the operation works.
Motivation
With Elias, I think the photo speaks a thousand words. When I told him I would like to nominate him for the #ThankYouTrucker initiative, and asked if he would mind me taking a couple of photos of him the following day, he came dressed to the nines, suit jacket, best jersey and best pants!
This man is an angel on earth. He is sharp, forward-thinking, always on time, and ALWAYS smiling in full glory. Growing up in Giyani, and having his father pass away when he was only 12, left him to fend for his mother and two younger siblings. A feat he happily states he overcame!
Elias’ truck-driving cousin saw his keen interest in his truck and allowed him to clean it during holidays and as his reward, showed him how to drive it. This reward sparked Elias’ passion for driving. Drawing strength from his wife and two daughters, every time he feels like giving up, he remembers the struggle his garbage collector dad and street vendor mom faced to give him a good childhood, and he will not allow that to be his daughters’ realities. Elias strongly believes in a positive South Africa and a brighter future!
Motivation
Jerome is a driver at our KZN branch.
His job is mainly to deliver oxygen cylinder refills and swap out faulty machines for good working condition machines.
But he realised that he would find some of our customers, who are oxygen-dependent home patients, in a frail condition and would be required to perform some medical assessments to ensure they are in a better state when he leaves them than when he found them.
Jerome requested that the company take him on a training equivalent to paramedics, which he passed, and he’s now able to provide patients care over and above dropping off an oxygen cylinder.
Jerome has taken the term lifesaver to another level and shows his commitment every day by going above and beyond his call of duty as a driver to save lives across the KZN province.
Other Entry Highlights
Motivation
In the heart of Limpopo, there is a seasoned truck driver named Ezekiel. With over 20 years of driving experience and a Code 10 license with a Professional Driving Permit, Ezekiel is well-versed in navigating the challenging terrains of South Africa. One morning, as the sun rose over the lush landscapes, Ezekiel embarked on a journey to deliver essential goods to remote villages. The roads were winding and often unpaved, but Ezekiel’s skill and experience made him the perfect man for the job.
On one particularly rugged stretch, Ezekiel encountered a stranded vehicle. It was an old van, broken down, with a family inside. They were out of water and food, and far away from the nearest town. Without hesitation, Ezekiel pulled over and offered assistance. He shared his provisions with the family, giving them fresh water and helping them contact a nearby mechanic.
As they waited for help to arrive, Ezekiel kept the family company, sharing stories of his travels and experiences on the road. His kindness and calm demeanour reassured them during a stressful time. Once the mechanic arrived, the family thanked Ezekiel profusely. His selfless act not only saved their day but also restored their faith in the kindness of strangers. Ezekiel continued his journey, knowing he had made a difference.
Every delivery Ezekiel makes is more than just fulfilling his job, it’s an opportunity to connect, help, and inspire others on the roads of Limpopo. His dedication and compassion make him a hero in the hearts of many, proving that even the toughest roads can lead to beautiful destinations.
Motivation
Mthokozisi Cedric Mvelase is a 46-year-old truck driver born and raised in DBN, Hammarsdale. Cedric embarked on his trucking career at the tender age of 31 in 2010, starting with driving a bus, exploring container trailers, and levelling up to a super link which he mastered and toured the country of South Africa in. He then embarked on a more challenging role and toured parts of Africa. Cedric has a deep sense of appreciation for the open road and transportation, and customer service is what fuels his passion as a truck driver.
Throughout his journey, Cedric has faced challenges such as handling breakdowns, attempted hijackings, poor road conditions and communication issues whilst delivering beyond South African borders. His proactive approach and situational awareness, paired with excellent communication skills, have kept him, his rig and our customers’ products safe.
Off the road, Cedric is a loving husband and a father of 3. He tries to balance work and family by rotating his work weeks as well as his hours on the road. He never sleeps without a video call to his princesses at home. His passion for being on the road and willingness to assist colleagues often persuade him to spend more time on the road.
Cedric’s dedication and passion to his job have kept him in pole position at BIL, where he was crowned Bidvest International Logistics’ Driver of the Year 2023. Looking forward, he hopes to win this title more, even though his competition has sights on him. He has no plans of leaving the roads after retirement, he plans to buy a truck and keep hauling. His personal opinion is that if employees are valued and appreciated, there isn’t anything that will keep them from striving to do well each and every day; a direction that will only bring in more rewards in the future.
If Cedric wins #ThankYouTrucker 2024, his plan is to use the prize money to show appreciation to his family. He feels they have been very supportive of his career choice, and he wants to improve their lives for always standing by him. He further hopes that one of his girls follows in his footsteps and becomes a trucker. With his guidance, she will be able to shape the next generation of truckers and encourage more females to get behind the wheel and explore our beautiful roads.
