Woman in the Eastern Cape transport industry have received high praise for their hard work and determination in a industry dominated by males.

The 300 woman who attended the provincial South African Network for Women in Transportation conference in Mthatha were applauded by Transport MEC Thandiswa Marawu , for competing in male dominated industry “without fear and intimidation”.

“For too long, you have been on the sidelines watching your husbands doing business in the bus and taxi industries. When they died, you were left with no knowledge of running such a business in order to continue to sustain your families. We want to ensure that women get out of their husbands’ shadows and become great businesswomen,” said Marawu on Friday.

She said this was particularly important in light of a call by newly-elected head of the African Union (AU) Commission, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, for Africans to drive their own development. Dlamini Zuma was speaking at the Women in Shipping conference held in Durban earlier this week.

Queenstown transport company owner Zukiswa Tyokolo said Eastern Cape women had proven they could do anything they set their minds on.

“We are ready to do our best in the transport business, because this industry is full of ignorant men who don’t seem to care about their customers. This is what motivates us women, to bring about change in the transport industry,” said Tyokolo.