Here’s something to feel chipper about at a time when South Africa’s road freight industry yet again finds itself on the receiving end of lawlessness.
There’s been tough competition, but Iveco SA and the Road Freight Industry (RFA) have managed to whittle down contestants in its #ThankYouTrucker competition to five exceptionally dedicated and inspiring people.
Initiated to look for the most extraordinary driver, #ThankYouTrucker has pulled out all the stops to find, from within the country’s road freight ranks, a remarkable individual who goes above and beyond the call of duty.
A statement released on behalf of the RFA said the finalists they were looking for were drivers who were “helpful, trustworthy, dependable, caring and passionate about their careers”.
On Friday it was announced that all the nominations were in and that the most exceptional truck drivers had been shortlisted for this prestigious award.
The finalists are Ayanda Mvelase from Crossroads Distribution in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), Audrey Cheloane from Zosi Group in Gauteng, Nimrod Maseko from Maphanga Logistics in Mpumalanga, Matthew Moonsamy from Imperial Contract Logistics, also in KZN, and last but not least, Chris Smith from DRK Logistics, another Gauteng contestant.
In support of #ThankYouTrucker, Freight News will profile the finalists, based on what their nominators have said.
In an industry that’s still dominated by men, we find it appropriate to start with one of the women who has made the shortlist, Ananda Mvelase.
According to a statement from the company she represents: “Ayanda is our only female driver within the Crossroads group.
“Not many little girls dream of becoming a truck driver. But for Ayanda, trucker and mother to eight-year-old Lizeka, becoming a truck driver was really all she ever wanted to be as far back as she can remember.
“Being a woman behind the wheel brings its own challenges, but Ayanda has embodied the essence of good driving, with perfect scores in speed, harsh braking, over-revving and excessive idling. She has scored an average of 98.04 % on our Driver Behavioural Scorecard.”
How to vote?
Go to www.thankyoutrucker.co.za
Voting closes on July 24.
Remember to find out more about the other four contestants during the rest of the week.
Prize money for the top three drivers in the competition is R50 000, R10 000, and R5000 respectively for the winner, runner-up, and 3rd placed contestant.
Well done to the finalists and good luck!
