MasterDrive recently drew their 6th annual Women with Drive conference to an end. This year’s event, entitled Woman with Drive – LIVE, was one of the biggest yet, with 290 people registering or applying to attend. It has grown from just 60 attendees in its first year to almost 300 six years down the line.
The CEO of MasterDrive, Eugene Herbert, says the rapid and impressive growth of individuals who want to attend this event is testament to its importance within the industry. “Women with Drive started as an initiative to show appreciation for female’s that play integral roles in ensuring the transport industry is one that shows continual growth and improvement.
“It was also a one-of-a-kind event that has been imitated by many. This too, is an indication of the importance of showing appreciation and providing the ladies in the industry with an event solely focused on their growth in a predominantly male-dominated industry.”
Our theme this year was one that it pays specific attention to the environment in which the transport industry currently operates. “With the removal of lockdown restrictions, a collective sigh of relief was heard across all industries affected by the lockdown.
“While COVID-19 remains a reality, individuals now need to find a way of living that integrates both lifestyles of pandemic and pre-pandemic lifestyles. In fact, many find it difficult to LIVE their best lives even though they now have the freedom to do so.”
Thus, we carefully selected a panel, entitled Dealing with exiting COVID, to address these issues and assist ladies to LIVE their best lives:
- Vivian Pearson from SAIA: provided a perspective on how COVID-19 as well as other major recent events, such as the KZN floods, affected insurance cover
- Melanie van Straaten from Castrol: discussed techniques she used to lead her organisation during a difficult time and which resulted in a prestigious promotion
- Karabo Dimpe is a financial planner at Standard Bank and author: her discussion included steps to take to improve overall financial wellness following a difficult economic period.
- Tracy Gounden from Messe Frankfurt: provided an important example of an industry severely affected by recent challenges and what was needed to overcome these
- Imogene Mncwango from Gauteng Women in Transport: shared a perspective on how recent challenges affected public transport and eth effect of the current fuel price
A number of speakers addressed important issues to help ladies with in the transport sector live their best lives:
- Marian Vanderschuren from UCT: addressed issues that vulnerable road users, such as women, need to consider and how the situation can be improved effectively
- Lungako Mweli from the Therapy Route: addressed the importance of re-establishing social lives as people have become accustomed to isolation.
- Liechen Strydom from Liberation Legal Council: enlightened attendees to the changes in human trafficking pre and post-pandemic and how the transport sector can play a role.
The event concluded with a motivational speech from Conelle Leash, a swimming Paralympian. “Despite having a generative eye disease from birth, she is a striking example of how one can overcome the challenges faced and shared motivation to overcome one’s own challenges irrespective of how difficult this may seem. The audience was left in awe of her determination and her trusty sidekick, guide dog Vogue.”
“Women with Drive was proud to support the Guide-Dog Association of South Africa this year. We hope all our attendees that purchased a brick as their entrance fee, played a vital role in their future expansion. We look forward to the next Woman with Drive in eager anticipation,” says Herbert.
Click here to watch Women with Drive – LIVE (https://youtu.be/UNE7nP7sjJw)
Do not forget!
There is still time to enter the draw for the following prizes (please note you need to have been in attendance in-person or virtually to qualify):
- Two lifting Machine training courses from Eazi Access
- Books from author Karabo Dimpe (a motivation is required)
Pain Breeds Growth- To 1 lady, who is currently going through a challenging time, and feeling like they want to give up. In my book, I show tough times never last. There is a blessing in that battle and you will overcome it.
The Holistic Approach to Financial Planning– to anyone who wants to turn their financial situation around
Financial Literacy For kids: I love kids so much, I will give away 5 books and also offering them space into my next class of Financial Literacy for Kids.
