Determination and grit: overcoming challenges to lead with impact

For many women in the freight and logistics industry, success doesn’t come just from doing the job well – it often means having to work twice as hard to be taken seriously. Vanitha Naidoo, operations manager at Spedag South Africa, knows this all too well. Throughout her career, she has had to consistently prove her value, navigate exclusion, and challenge the perception that leadership in freight belongs to men. “It’s no secret that this industry is male-dominated, and I’ve faced my share of challenges because of it,” says Naidoo. “There were times I was excluded from key activities or expected to take on certain tasks purely because I was a woman. I constantly felt the pressure to prove myself – working harder, performing better – just to be treated as an equal. Being a woman in a position of authority wasn’t always welcomed, and I often had to defend my place at the table.” Her determination to rise above these barriers has shaped her into the leader she is today – a far cry from her first job as an administrative clerk at Marine Freight. “The journey hasn’t always been easy, but perseverance and a commitment to doing something I love have made all the difference.” It was during those early days at Marine Freight, a company specialising in repairs, crating and customs supervision, that she realised freight forwarding was the career for her. A year later, she joined Nuship Freight Forwarding as a secretary and admin clerk. It was there that her curiosity about the industry deepened, sparking an adventurous drive to learn everything she could about this fascinating and complex field. In 1990, Naidoo became the first woman at Nuship to handle tariff classifications and customs entries – a significant milestone in an industry where few women worked in clearing and forwarding. She says she embraced every opportunity to deepen her knowledge and advance in her chosen field. The more she learned, the stronger her passion grew. “I always knew the path would be difficult and full of hurdles, but I was ready to face them head-on and stay grounded. I had finally found something I liked doing, and I excelled at my job. I was determined to learn everything about clearing and forwarding and nothing would stop me.” Today, Naidoo oversees all of Spedag’s operations in Durban, ensuring that shipping runs smoothly and efficiently. She has witnessed first-hand the growing presence of women within the freight and logistics industry. It’s a change that she welcomes wholeheartedly. “There’s been a real shift,” she says. “Women have matured in this space and are confidently standing alongside men. We no longer feel intimidated or sidelined because we know our worth and claim our place at the table.” Women now make up about 41% of the supply chain workforce – a significant increase from previous years – reflecting meaningful progress in gender representation. While challenges remain, especially in leadership roles, the rise of women in freight and logistics brings fresh perspectives, drives innovation and fosters stronger collaboration across the industry, says Naidoo. She highlights one recurring challenge – many employees still enter the industry without the necessary skills. “The shipping industry faces constant challenges – from rising costs and supply chain disruptions to capacity limits and ever- changing regulations,” she says. “I thrive on solving these problems, but none of it would be possible without a well- trained, knowledgeable team behind me.” According to Naidoo, ongoing training and upskilling are critical – not just for operational success but also to open doors for more women in freight. “Investing in people, especially women, ensures the industry continues to evolve, innovate and become more inclusive. That’s how we build a stronger future for freight and logistics.” LV