Women encouraged to get into transport business
Olga Mashilo from the transport forum said women are encountering many challenges in the taxi industry because their husbands, who are taxi owners, die. The women are either exploited by their drivers or the association to which their husbands belonged.
Women were encouraged to take opportunities in the transport business during a summit held at Graceland Hotel, Casino and Country Club on November 25.
The summit was organised by the EmpowaWomen in Transport and the Transport Education Training Authority (Teta).
Different female and male entrepreneurs could present how they started their businesses in the transport industry and women could ask questions.
Some entrepreneurial women raised challenges faced by women in the transport business, such as the taxi industry, which is a male-dominated business.
Olga Mashilo from the transport forum said women are encountering many challenges in the taxi industry because their husbands, who are taxi owners, die. The women are either exploited by their drivers or the association to which their husbands belonged.
“Not all women became taxi owners by choice but circumstances forced them like their deceased husbands who were the breadwinner through the taxi business.
“The women are now forced to continue where their husbands left off for them to feed their families. Because taxi drivers can take advantage of widows who do not know how their husbands were operating the business, it is important for women to learn how the business operates while their husbands are still alive.
“We are happy that Teta also assists widows from the taxi industry,” said Mashilo.
She said women in the taxi industry should be trained and understand how to operate and run the business and save money daily. Kgalaletso Thloaelo, from ABSA enterprise development, told women in the transport business it is important to comply with the red tape from banks.
“To ensure that women entrepreneurs in the taxi and logistic business can grow, they should have access to information and training. Our bank has a business development fund accessible through our ESD registration platform,” said Thloaelo.
Florence Mathebula, Gert Sibande regional manager from the Small Enterprise Finance Agency, said their agency offers a lot of business training and grants to all levels of businesses.
ALSO CHECK: Hengelaars maak nette en beursies vol by Grootdraaidam
ALSO CHECK: 8 parkrunners set new personal best times in Standerton
