Zimbabwean lady truck driver breaking barriers as a cross-border truck driver

In a world where certain professions have long been considered the domain of men, Sindiso Ndlovu has proven that determination and passion can shatter any stereotype. A proud Dynamos supporter, despite living in the heart of Highlanders territory in Mzilikazi, Ndlovu's choices in life have always defied convention.

Her journey into the world of haulage trucking is one that challenges traditional expectations. Having initially worked as a cartographer with the Zimbabwe Statistics Agency (ZimStat), Ndlovu made the bold decision to change career paths and follow a childhood dream of becoming a cross-border truck driver.

Her inspiration came from a school trip to Masvingo in Grade Five, where she saw a woman driving a ShuShine bus. "I was just fascinated that a woman could drive something so huge. I told myself that if she could do it, so why not?" Ndlovu recalls. The seed was planted, and from that moment, her fascination with trucks grew.

Her grandfather, also a cross-border truck driver, further fueled her passion. She fondly remembers climbing inside his truck and marveling at the machinery, something that deepened her love for haulage trucks. Despite this early interest, she began her professional career as a cartographer, but the urge to do something extraordinary led her to step away from the profession and pursue trucking full-time in 2015.

Ndlovu's first encounter with driving a truck came at the age of 22, though at that time she didn't have a license. She obtained her driving license in Zambia in 2011, and after working as a cartographer, she made the leap into trucking. Her routes often took her through the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Zambia, Botswana, and South Africa, driving massive super-link haulage trucks with two trailers.

"Truck driving wasn't my first career, but I was determined to follow my childhood dream," said Ndlovu, who faced countless challenges along the way. Slim and seemingly out of place behind the wheel of such a massive vehicle, she frequently encountered curious stares from other motorists, police officers, and even officials at roadblocks and toll gates.

"Once at a roadblock near Mbokodo on the Bulawayo-Plumtree Road, police officers ordered me to park. One of them said, quite clearly, that there was no way someone as slim as me could drive such a huge vehicle," she recalls. "But after checking my documents, I told them I wasn't carrying the load on my shoulders; my job was to control the vehicle carrying the load. They were in stitches."

Despite the challenges, Ndlovu worked for a company that transported copper and had a policy of traveling in convoy, ensuring that no driver was ever left behind, even in times of breakdowns or delays.

In a profession where truck stops are often associated with indulgence and illicit activities, Ndlovu maintains her dignity and respect. She notes, "It depends on how you present yourself. If you present yourself as someone who's interested in those things, you'll be treated accordingly. But if you are dignified, you will be treated with respect."

Ndlovu also praised the increasing number of gender-sensitive facilities at truck stops, noting that many now offer separate male and female bathrooms. "My company had specific truck stops where we could rest, and it wasn't an issue for me to find appropriate facilities when I needed them," she explained.

For Ndlovu, driving haulage trucks is more than just a job—it's a calling. She encourages other women to follow their hearts and not be deterred by societal expectations or limitations. "To the ladies out there, don't let anyone look down on you. Do what you feel like doing. The sky is the limit. Yes, men will always be men, and as women, we are sometimes submissive, but that must not put you down or make you change what your heart tells you."

Sindiso Ndlovu's story is one of defiance against the odds, breaking down barriers in a male-dominated profession and showing women everywhere that they can excel in any field they choose to pursue.