Ditsietsi: The woman truck driver

KEABETSWE NEWEL
Correspondent | Thursday October 7, 2010 00:00

 

But the world is changing, and fast. Just as household chores are changing, and so are professional roles. Women these days are no longer just satisfied with 'women' professions. In fact, more and more are movin into traditionally once male preserve.

Back in the day when cars were introduced to Botswana and Africa as a whole, there is no doubt that men were the first to be introduced to driving. But over the years, more and more women began driving cars and even bought ones of their own

This, however, has not completely abolished streotypes. There are vehicles most preferred by men - those with bigger engines such as 'V6' and 'V8' are still men's 'toys'. But women are, just as they are in other areas of lives and professions, breaking the norm. More women are slowly beginning to see what men saw in those cars - superiority, class, recognition! But heavy duty truck driving? No, that is still a foreign concerpt to Batswana women.

Ditsietsi Ofaletse is an extra-ordinary woman. She was the first if not the only Motswana woman to have a heavy duty drivers' license. The 34-year-old works for Ihawu Holdings and she is the only woman amongst men who drives a big truck. 'I started driving trucks at Tati Nickel Mine in 2006. Then I was driving dump trucks, bo-matipane, until we were retrenched due to the recession,' said Ofaletse.

It was when she joined Ihawu Holdings when she upgraded her license for an extra heavy duty, which she has been holding for over a year now. Ofaletse said that she was motivated by the high unemployment rate to go for extra heavy duty driving as a career.  'Although people tend to think of driving trucks as men's job, here I am, fully employed and driving the very trucks that men drive,' said Ofaletse.

In today's work enverionment, a professional woman is usually one exquisitely dressed in stilettos, designer dress or suit, manicured nails and looking all delicate in make apu. But not Ofaletse. When Mmegi  came visiting, she was dressed for duty - in  overalls -  same as male colleagues but looking good and well-toned. Like every other drivers, she had on a gleaming reflector waist coat and reflectors around the knees. She also wore heavy duty safety boots designed.

Ofaletse said that she enjoyed driving the truck, and was the centre of curiosity as many people would always look on with surprise with they see her behind the wheels.

'Driving a truck is not a problem, it is easy considering the fact that they are comfortable and fun to drive. I was however frightened when I began driving dump trucks, as I had to go deep underground. But now I have no fear, I even enjoy driving a truck more that my Toyota Corolla,' said Ofaletse.

Mmegi was also exited to see a beautiful lady driving such a large truck.

'My job includes trips where I have to go as far as Durban spending a night in the truck away from my children and boyfriend,' revealed Ofaletse. It was also not easy, according to her, to have to spend nights on the road fearing for her safety. But  as she gained more experience, she became  fearless. She however said that two childten are very much exhilarated by the idea that she drives such vehicles that most kids would run after, all screaming in joy. In fact, Ofaletse finds joy and peace in the pride her children has in her.

'My life is complete, I would advise all women out there who are jobless, that no job is typified as men's job. Why would you live in poverty while you can drive a car. I live a good life only from driving,' advised Ofaletse.

Ofaletse in fact views her chosen profesion not only as a only as a job but also as pioneering act to encourage and uplift women's status. 'I am proud to stand amongst men who are also proud and filled with admiration to work with a lady in such a job'.