Ethics underpin a lasting legacy

Few names are as synonymous with freight and logistics recruitment in South Africa as Lee Botti’s. Her connection to the industry – and this publication – runs deep. Her father founded Freight News (then called Freight & Container Weekly), but Botti went on to build a formidable legacy of her own, establishing a recruitment business that would become a trusted name across the sector. Over the next 49 years, she helped shape careers, supported companies in finding the right talent and witnessed the freight industry transform around her. This year, Botti closed the agency, bringing to an end an extraordinary chapter spanning almost five decades. Freight News features editor Liesl Venter spoke to her about the career she built and the industry that has always been part of her identity. LV: After almost five decades in freight recruitment, you’ve decided to close the business. Looking back, what are you most proud of and what do you hope your lasting legacy will be within the logistics industry? LB: I am most proud of the thousands of careers I helped Today’s logistics professionals know the pace is faster, the pressure is higher and the requirement for continuous upskilling has never been greater. “ launch and the personal growth I witnessed in the candidates we placed. A recruitment business is more than just filling vacancies; it is about trust and the responsibility of changing lives. Crucially, I instilled a strict policy that my team was never permitted to headhunt from our clients and this fostered an atmosphere of professional integrity, ensuring our relationships were built on long-term partnership rather than short-term gain. I was also blessed to employ amazing staff and managers who helped build the business. Beyond the boardroom, my heart truly lies in our work with Ithuba. I started this training programme to assist less-privileged school leavers in preparing for the job market, providing them with the skills to enter the working world with confidence. To date, we have trained over 14 000 young people and I am deeply committed to continuing this work well into my retirement. My hope is that my legacy is one of both ethical business practice and the lasting empowerment of the next generation. LV: You have watched the freight and logistics sector evolve through enormous political, economic and technological change. What have been the biggest transformations you’ve witnessed and which have had the greatest impact on the people working in the industry? LB: The sector has shifted from a manual, paper-heavy environment to a high- speed, tech-driven digital ecosystem. While technological advancements have undoubtedly increased efficiency, the most profound transformation has been the shift in the complexity of the supply chain. Today’s logistics professionals know the pace is faster, the pressure is higher and the requirement for continuous upskilling has never been greater. LV: Your career has been built around people. Having interviewed and placed thousands of professionals over the years, what qualities have consistently separated those who build exceptional careers from those who struggle to progress? LB: The difference between those who stall and those who soar has always been character rather than just technical skill. Exceptional professionals share three traits: intellectual curiosity, the resilience to navigate the inevitable volatility of freight and unwavering reliability. Those who progress are the ones who show up, take accountability and treat every interaction with genuine respect. LV: Freight has traditionally been a male-dominated industry, yet you established yourself as one of its most respected figures. How has the role of women changed since you first entered the sector and where do you still see room for progress? LB: When I started in 1977, women were often viewed through a narrow lens, rarely seen in senior operational or executive roles. Today, that landscape has shifted significantly. We see women leading logistics firms and directing global supply chains. However, while we have moved past the “token” phase, there is still room for progress in creating truly inclusive corporate cultures that support work-life integration and provide mentorship pathways for young women to reach the boardroom. LV: Your father was a well-known name in South Africa’s logistics industry. How did his influence shape your own career and what did growing up around the industry teach you? LB: My father founded this publication and that meant that logistics was the heartbeat of our household. He taught me that freight is the invisible pulse of the economy – without it, the world stops. From him, I learned that this industry is built on relationships and information. His influence instilled in me a deep respect for the dignity of hard work and the importance of staying informed, which became the cornerstone of how I ran my own business. LV: If you could offer one piece of advice to a young woman starting her career in freight and logistics today, what would it be, and why? LB: Be bold and stay visible. Freight and logistics are not “back-office” industries; they are the frontline of global commerce. Do not wait to be asked for your opinion; understand the operation from the ground up, learn the numbers and cultivate your network relentlessly. Your value lies in your ability to solve problems that others find too daunting – embrace that complexity and you will become indispensable.