When Mabel Mshayisa joined transport company Reddy Cargo Services in 1991 as a cleaner/ receptionist she told herself that she would not remain a cleaner for the rest of her life. Thirteen years later her dream was realised when company managing director Arnold Reddy appointed her to head up a new rail-based inland haulage operation – Ladies & Wheels. In the seven years since its launch, turnover has trebled and the company is looking to extend its field of operations to warehousing and packaging, as well as the movement of explosives. Mshayisa is largely responsible for that growth – and while managing and marketing is her core focus, she believes that all-round competence is the key to success. “If my operations manager is out of the office, I must be able to deal with client queries.” Balancing family and work responsibilities has always been a challenge, but being a mother to her three daughters is as important to her as the demands of running the company, she told FTW. Her advice to women in the industry – “Be yourself and if you are given an opportunity make the most of it and excel.” For her Arnold Reddy was the catalyst for change. He saw the saw the opportunity and the potential for a rail-based operation to complement Reddy Cargo Services – which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. “Without his vision and foresight, Ladies & Wheels would not be where it is today,” she said. CAPTION Mabel Mshayisa ... ‘embrace opportunity.’
