It’s not often that a career in freight begins in the world of tourism, but for Reneé Peltzer, Lufthansa Cargo’s newly appointed head of sales and handling for southern Africa, it feels like a natural progression. “I spent many years in the travel and tourism industry before joining Lufthansa on the passenger side. When the chance came to move to the cargo team, I knew I was ready for change and a new cha l lenge."Working in a traditionally male-dominated industry hasn't been as difficult as one might think, says Peltzer.“It’s true that the freight market is largely male-dominated, but we are seeing more women move into this exciting and challenging industry. Like a sponge, I’ve absorbed so much about cargo logistics, and I know this is where I want to be.”From Lufthansa Cargo's perspective, there is a noticeable shift towards greater gender diversity. “For example, Swiss WorldCargo also has a woman as head of cargo for South Africa,” says Peltzer. “Women bring exceptional organisational skills and a different thought process, contributing unique ideas and solutions. It’s about a joint approach, collaborating to find the best person for the job.”Lufthansa's recruitment process emphasises diversity, focusing on finding the right person for each role, explains Dr André Schulz, head of the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, and CIS region at Lufthansa Cargo. "While diversity is a significant factor, it’s very much about ensuring the best fit for the position,” he says, highlighting another shift within the recruitment process. “In the past, we focused a lot on skills, but now we are far more interested in the attitude of the people we employ. We can train and teach all the skills necessary, but mindset, attitude, adaptability, and resilience are not as easy to teach.”He underscores the importance of diversity, not only from a gender perspective, but also in terms of cultural aspects within the modern work environment and the balance it brings.Peltzer is the first local person to hold her current role, and she is also the first woman to do so. “This is undoubtedly a ref lection of our hiring philosophy,” says Dr Schulz. “Localisation is a priority for us, as local knowledge brings significant strength to our business. At the same time, we continue to strive for greater gender diversity.”According to Peltzer, women are increasingly making their mark in the local freight environment. “I am seeing more women take up roles that would previously have been seen as jobs for men. The freight sector is an extremely exciting industry to work in.”Her advice to women is clear: do not shy away because you think a man will be better suited. “Women bring several attributes to the freight industry that are beneficial to operations. I truly believe we are making a difference and proving that we can be as successful at this as our male counterparts.”Her goal in her new role is to position Lufthansa as the first choice for air cargo services. “We have an extremely strong brand and the service to back it up. I believe there is room for growth, and we can expand our footprint significantly. We have a strong team of both men and women, each bringing their individual strengths to our operations, making us a force to be reckoned with.”
