On 5 August 2025, the Western Cape Mobility Department (WCMD) hosted a special lunch as part of its Freight Focus Month campaign, a tribute to the women who power the freight industry, whether behind the wheel or behind the scenes. The event recognised female truck drivers, as well as the wives and partners of drivers, whose often-unseen sacrifices make long-haul freight possible.
At the gathering, the Department highlighted how freight underpins virtually every facet of daily life, from food and fuel to clothing, medicine, and building materials, yet the people who make it happen seldom receive public recognition.
The mood was one of appreciation and solidarity. One speaker, representing the convoy of partners and spouses of drivers, reflected on the emotional toll of weeks away from home and the strength needed to keep families, homes, and routines going. Meanwhile female drivers shared their pride in breaking barriers and contributing directly to an industry often seen as male dominated.
For the WCMD, the lunch served not just as a symbolic act but a call to broader society: next time you see a freight truck on the road, remember the many hands and hearts that keep goods moving across the Western Cape.
