A concerted drive by Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) to transform the male-dominated marine industry and to make it more representative has borne fruit.
Thanks to its efforts under chief harbour master Captain Rufus Lekala, who has spearheaded the organisation’s marine transformation strategy, there are now female tug masters, marine pilots and harbour masters – as well as women in technical, engineering and operational roles. These were previously the domain of men only.
It’s an accomplishment that the organisation is celebrating as the country acknowledges Women's Month.
Despite significant shifts over the years, recent statistics from the International Transport Workers’ Federation show that while many strides have been made towards growth, women only comprise 2% of the global maritime workforce. The International Maritime Organization says only 1-2% of the 1.2 million global workforce of seafarers are women, with the majority of female seafarers (94%) working in the cruise industry.
Drawing attention to some examples of the strides that have been made, TNPA points out that of the eight commercial ports managed by TNPA, three have female port managers. Four of TNPA’s harbour masters are women (50%) as are six of the eight deputy harbour masters (75%).
