Amid the recent buzz surrounding Amazon’s impending launch in South Africa, the response from business circles has been a mixed bag, with the transport and logistics sector showing notable enthusiasm. Positioned as a logistics hub in Southern Africa, South Africa’s economic robustness is evident in the smooth movement of goods across the region. Standing out amidst this dynamic landscape is the remarkable journey of Mary Phadi, a resilient entrepreneur who boldly ventured into the male-dominated realm of transport, specialising in coal transportation. Her entry into the world of business traces back to her early days when she earned her first profits by selling chips to her schoolmates.
Formally establishing her enterprise in December 2006, Mary swiftly transformed her commercial trucking business into a flourishing venture. Her expertise was honed during her tenure at major coal companies, including her roles at Anglo Coal’s New Denmark Colliery and Sasol Mining, where she served as a Secretary. With an innate knack for administration, meticulous supervision, and an eye for detail, Mary deftly navigates the day-to-day operations of her business, effortlessly surmounting any challenges that come her way. Bolstering her repertoire, she pursued a Diploma and a Degree in Human Resources Management, attributing a significant portion of her triumphs to the BSSA (Business Skills for South Africa) Core Programme, a cornerstone initiative by the Middelburg Chamber of Commerce designed to train small, medium, and micro enterprise (SMME) owner-managers.
Earlier this year, Mary’s leadership potential was recognized as she secured a coveted spot in the Goldman Sachs-GIBS 10,000 Women Certificate Programme, an integral component of the 10,000 Women initiative, a global campaign aiming to empower 10,000 women through business and management education. Notably, her accolades include being named a finalist in the 2008 FNB Businesswoman of the Year competition in Mpumalanga. At the GIBS programme, she emerged as one of the top five presenters among 50 esteemed delegates, showcasing her exceptional business acumen through the presentation of her company’s strategic plans.
A trailblazer in her own right, Mary currently holds the prestigious position of President at the Truckers Association of South Africa (TASA), an organisation serving as a unified platform for truckers nationwide. Additionally, she serves as the vocal representative of the Coal Transporters Forum (CTF) and has previously contributed her expertise as a Member of the Sector Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Charter Council (TSB-BBEECC). Notably, she also serves as the National Chairperson of the South African Network for Women in Transport (SANWIT), an initiative spearheaded by the Department of Transport in 2007.
Under Mary’s adept leadership, TASA has soared to new heights, now competing on par with well-established trucking entities boasting significant financial backing, influence, and decades of experience. Her exemplary journey serves as a testament to the unparalleled capabilities of African women when provided with equitable opportunities to lead, showcasing their exceptional competence in steering organisations towards unprecedented success. Indeed, what Africa truly needs is a level playing field where opportunities are equitably distributed, transcending gender biases, and recognising the capacity to deliver.
