The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport South Africa (CILTSA) successfully hosted its second Women in Logistics, Transport, and Supply Chain Empowerment Conference on Friday, October 25, at the Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre in Boksburg, Johannesburg.
The event, supported by industry leaders Air France, CMA CGM, Isuzu, JC Auditors, K3 Brokers, CVLC Communication, and MasterDrive, brought together influential women leaders to share insights, experiences, and strategies for success in the transport and logistics sector.
The impressive lineup of speakers included Dr. Nora Fakude, Executive Chairperson of Buscor; Pulane Tshabalala Kingston, CEO of voestalpine VAE SA and Founder of Mirai Rail Corporation; Glenda Maitin, CEO of BBOpex; Mihlali Gqada, Freight Specialist at the Department of Transport; Muriel Sahd, Chief Operating Officer at BidAir Cargo and Belinda Pather, CEO of TPS Group of Companies.
Regina Naicker, Head of Business Development for Africa at Castrol SA, served as the Programme Director and later shared valuable strategies for achieving work-life balance in the dynamic field of supply chain management. Her presentation highlighted the importance of setting realistic goals, establishing boundaries, and maintaining self-care practices.
A highlight of the conference was Kgatile Nkala’s session titled “Captivate the Room: Owning Your Stage and Mastering the Art of Presentation”. Nkala offered practical tips for effective public speaking and enhancing professional presence. As the Executive Manager of Corporate Services at the Transport Education Training Authority (TETA), she underscored the significance of confidence, authentic communication, and engaging with the audience.
The event included a comprehensive panel discussion on the support systems available for women in transport, logistics, and supply chain. Representatives from various organisations participated, including TETA, the Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Productivity SA and the Southern African Association of Freight Forwarders.
“This conference underscores our commitment to empowering women in transport, logistics and supply chain,” stated Catherine Larkin, Executive Director of CILTSA. “The diverse range of speakers and topics highlighted the abundance of opportunities within our industry and the critical need to support women’s advancement in these fields. By creating platforms for women to share their voices, ideas, and experiences, we enable them to challenge the status quo and foster positive change. It’s all about empowered women empowering other women.”
Other notable speakers included entrepreneur Florence Musundwa of Reign Supreme Holdings; Dr. Jessica Fraser, Senior Lecturer at the Nelson Mandela University Business School; Nobantu Mqulwana, Managing Director at Rising Tide Advisory & Project Management and Shevon Kotiah, Supply Chain Planner at Famous Brands.
The conference offered numerous networking opportunities and included prize giveaways throughout the day, fostering an engaging and interactive environment for all attendees.
“It was an incredible opportunity to connect, learn, and empower one another in this dynamic industry,” said Mbali Lelaka, a student at Vaal University of Technology. “The insightful discussions, networking opportunities, and inspiring keynote speakers all contributed to the event’s tremendous success. Thank you for highlighting the significant contributions of women in logistics and for fostering an environment where our voices can be heard,”
Rebecca Mchunu from SP Mchunu Logistics added, “It was an incredible event that CILTSA organised. I had the pleasure of learning about the remarkable achievements of the outstanding women in the transport and logistics industry. It’s inspiring to see such empowering examples, and it has motivated me to pursue my own path within this field.”
The success of this year’s conference underscores the increasing influence of women in the transport and logistics sectors, while also addressing the challenges and opportunities that await future leaders in the industry.
For more information, please contact CILTSA’s Executive Director, Catherine Larkin, at cv******@ci****.za.
About CILTSA
The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport supports the professionals who plan the systems, who bring in the raw materials, who manage the movement of people and goods, who ensure safety standards, maintain mobility, and keep the economy working.
We are the leading professional body for everyone who works in supply chain, logistics and transport. We are a global family, representing professionals at all levels across all sectors, with a mission to give individuals and organisations access to the tools, the knowledge and the connections vital to success in the logistics and transport industry.
Founded in 1919 with a mission to improve industry practices and nurture talent, our Institute supports over 35,000 members in 35 countries. Through our educational suite, our strong community and our commitment to high standards, we help professionals at all levels to develop their careers and access better jobs. Visit www.ciltsa.org.za and https://ciltinternational.org/ for more information
Issued by:
Contact Persons: Catherine Larkin – CVLC Communication
Telephone: 087 133 0525 / 083 300 0331
E-mail: ca*******@cv**.za
Postal Address: P O Box 44945, Linden, 2104, South Africa
