SAPO INVESTS IN SUSTAINABLE FUTURE WORKFORCE

May 18, 2007
Author: Lunga Ngcobo

Through the “Bring a Girl Child to Work” campaign on 25 May, South African Port Operations (SAPO) is again exposing female learners to the traditionally male-dominated industry, as a means of offering wide career choices to girl children and to develop and channel them for future careers.

For the last five years, SAPO has welcomed girl children into its workplace during this campaign to offer these girls the opportunity to experience the port operations environment first-hand, and to expose them to the wide range of careers and opportunities available.

Tau Morwe, SAPO CE, said: “We are committed to the ‘Girl Child’ programme and this extends beyond the one day invitation to host learners at the terminals. We have hosted learners for up to three weeks at various departments to ensure that they get a true sense of work experience and career opportunities.”

“We want to ensure that our participation in this campaign is sincere and meaningful. Our aim is to provide an opportunity for these girls to realize that they have equal opportunities in an industry like this which was previously dominated by men. They don’t have to choose a career in the maritime industry but as long as they realize they have numerous options available to them.”

To ensure the Girl Child initiative is sustainable, SAPO has provided ongoing assistance to the young female learners who have been part of this programme.

“We have taken an active interest in these girls’ studies and in their progress in choosing their career paths. We would also like to encourage both SAPO and other Transnet divisions to monitor their progress and identify career opportunities for those who are completing their studies or entering the workplace.”

The “Bring a Girl Child to Work” campaign is aimed at inviting corporate companies, government and the public an opportunity to inspire young girls to achieve their ambitions and make them aware of the important role they will play in the South African economy.

Some of the girls who were part of SAPO’s 2003 Girl Child involvement are:

Nosiphiwe Khuzwayo (20) who attended Adams College and is currently completing her BComm degree and majoring in Information Systems Technology and Finance Management. She is extremely grateful for her work exposure at SAPO as it provided guidance and direction in her choice of career path.

Phindile Mkhize (21) is a third year Cost and Management Accounting student at the Durban University of Technology. The former Umlazi Commercial High School pupil believes her work experience at SAPO provided a good grounding and understanding of a real work environment.

Thobile Shezi (21) recently completed her national diploma in accounting at Mangosuthu Technikon with a Dean’s Commendation bursary (she scored more than 75 percent in her studies). Thobile who studied at Umlazi Commercial High School says the three weeks spent at SAPO provided the much needed practical experience required to make a career choice.

Nomatheba Cele (22), who is completing her national diploma in accounting through Unisa fondly recalls her time at SAPO because she was made to feel very special and learnt so much. The former Umlazi Commercial High School pupil said she is passionate about being involved in the economy, particularly in export and import.

Freedom Ngema (21) who attended KwaMgaga High School is studying environmental science at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Freedom who has her heart set on being a national television weather anchor said she enjoyed her stint at SAPO because it broadened her mind and reinforced the fact that women could choose any career path.

Zamandelu Mncwango (22) is a third year journalism student at the Durban University of Technology who found her work experience at SAPO very informative because it was the first time she found herself in an interracial work situation. This she says was just as important as highlighting the fact that a woman could choose any career in a previously male-dominated environment. Mncwango is joining the SAPO communications department as an intern.

Slindile Khumalo (21) a former Umlazi Commercial High School pupil is currently completing her BComm at Unisa. She believes the work experience was her first real exposure to the working world and provided insight into the reality of a job. She commends SAPO for their commitment to empowering previously disadvantaged girls.

Thobeka Khumalo (22) is in her final year at the Durban University of Technology where she is currently studying Sports Management. Thobeka, a former Adams College pupil who works part time at Virgin Active dreams of becoming a physical trainer at Kaizer Chiefs. She says SAPO’s participation in the “Bring a girl child to work” programme opened her mind to new career opportunities.