History is made! #ThankYouTrucker has a female winner!
For the first time in the history of the competition, #ThankYouTrucker has been won by a female truck driver! The sought-after contest – sponsored by Iveco – has been won by Cynthia Thala, a truck driver at Unitrans. Her cash award for winning the #ThankYouTrucker award totalled R50,000!
Introducing the competition
Iveco’s popular #ThankYouTrucker competition, which is run in association with the Road Freight Association (RFA), aims to celebrate drivers who go above and beyond the call of duty by highlighting their passion, commitment, and dedication to their work.
“#ThankYouTrucker is an opportunity for employers of exceptional drivers to acknowledge their contributions so that together we can say, ‘ThankYouTrucker’,” explains Elvis Mutseura, Product Marketing Manager at Iveco SA.
The drivers are nominated by company owners, operations managers, direct line managers or fleet managers. In addition to the cash prizes handed to the three winners, an additional award of R10,000 was allocated to the individual who nominated the winner this year.
Introducing the winner
Cynthia Thala, this year’s winner, certainly deserves the acknowledgement. She started her career as a bus driver and – despite discouragement from friends, who thought being a Bulk Vehicle Operator (BVO) was “unconventional” for a woman – she stuck to her guns. This paid off; she went on to win the BVO of the Year in 2020.
A mother of three, Thala balances her job by working four days a week to make sure she has enough quality time with her family. “I feel abundantly blessed, and I feel that the love of God is with me always,” she says. “Thank you also to Iveco for making things happen.”
Samuel Makgoba, who is Thala’s Operations Supervisor, lauded her as one of the finest BVOs. “She executes her duties with precision and unwavering commitment. While she possesses robust administrative skills, it is also obvious how much she loves and enjoys her job,” he notes.
Impressive track record
Thala has notched up numerous impressive achievements in her time behind the wheel.
Her track record includes delivering 11.4 million litres without incident, with zero crossovers and spills. She has completed 855 trips and 952 drops. She has achieved 651 days without injury, ensuring her personal safety. She has also completed 651 days without violating life-saving rules.
Thala plans to use part of her R50,000 prize to obtain her National Certificate in Professional Driving, which she hopes to complete by the end of 2023. The course is designed to further the understanding of the trucking business among women.
Her prize money will also benefit her family. “I’m planning to share the money with my family, not forgetting to buy school uniforms and Christmas clothes for an orphaned child I look after. I will also invest some of the money,” she says.
Stiff competition
According to Mutseura, there was stiff competition for the award this year. Second place and a prize of R10,000 went to 40-year-old Gerhardus “Pikkie” Klaase from Koegelenberg Transport BK, whose determination has shone through while facing numerous challenges.
“Honesty is key: help one another and tomorrow brings new opportunities,” says Klaase philosophically, who hopes to put his winnings towards buying a wheelchair for his mother, supporting his son’s rugby tour, and saving towards a deposit for a bakkie.
Third place and R5,000 went to 55-year-old Nkosinathi Peaceman Chiliza, who says loyalty and commitment to his work are of the utmost importance to him. This is borne out by the 15 years he has spent with his current employer, ACT Logistics, in Gauteng.
Chiliza’s previous accomplishments include being named Driver of the Year within his company, and he aims to share his passion and knowledge by becoming an instructor and promoting safe and disciplined truck driving.
Appropriate accolade
But ultimately, the sought-after first prize went to Thala – and it certainly seems fitting. “We couldn’t be happier to hand this award to Cynthia, who epitomises the drive, character, and commitment that we look to reward via the #ThankYouTrucker initiative,” says Mutseura. “In a short trucking career, she has already made her mark on the industry and her appreciation for the open road, transportation, and logistics is clear for everyone to see.”
Well done, Cynthia!
Photographs by Tarryn Elaine Photography
