Latest news with #KZN
News24
6 hours ago
- Automotive
- News24
Truck driver Nosihle Mohunu is paving the way for young women in SA
Nosihle Mohunu is a 29-year-old truck driver from KwaZulu-Natal. Nosihle is a mom of two and has support from her mother while on the road. She is excelling in the male-dominated industry after pursuing a Code 14 license. _______________________________________________________________________ It's not something you see every day. A young woman at the steer of a 22-wheeler, confidently clocking up long-haul miles, expertly squeezing the rig into tight spaces and personally handling every inspection with precision. At just 29 years old, Nosihle Mohunu is a valued truck driver, does it all with a bright smile and sometimes even a little dance because, for her, there's no better place to be than behind the wheel of one of these giants of the road. She understands the value of what she does, delivering essential goods and groceries across the country. Her passion is contagious. Her TikTok videos, filmed from the snug cab of her truck, have already won her thousands of fans. An expert on the road Mzansi took notice of Nosihle when a video went viral of her driving through her hometown, Keate's Drift in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), where her mother saw her in action for the first time. Suddenly, Nosihle, who now lives in Hazelmere, KZN, was on everyone's radar. Brand collaborations rolled in but she turned most of them down. 'I don't want distractions,' she says. 'I want to stay focused on my work.' @nosihleoprintayo I must be really grateful, all thanks to Transrite for this great opportunity 🥺🥺 #femaledriver #womaninlogistics #code14 #transrite #truckdriver ♬ Good Lord - MG Trizzy Nosihle first worked as a floor manager for a company that sold sports and lifestyle products. Then, in 2021, she took a massive leap that changed her life. Inspired by the flow of trucks passing through her hometown, Nosihle decided to pursue a Code 14 truck licence. Her decision paid off because, after completing Shoprite's learnership programme and acing the practical assessment, she was offered a permanent position. It's been three years and, since then, she has racked up countless safe kilometres. On one trip alone, she travelled more than 1 200 km across borders – a testament to her discipline, focus and skill. Not an easy job But the job isn't always easy. Her days can start as early as 04:00, and careful route planning and truck inspections are part of her routine. For Nosihle, safety and precision are everything. She logs every journey and keeps detailed records. 'I always make sure to get enough rest at home, since I never want to find myself depending on energy drinks,' she says. 'Music is therapy and there is nothing I enjoy more than listening to music. It always keeps me awake.' Excelling in a male-dominated industry As a woman in a male-dominated industry and a mother to two young children, Nosihle faces unique challenges. 'Female drivers constantly face bias. But many of us are breaking those stigmas and proving what we're capable of.' She admits, 'My work demands a lot of my time and it's changed things. I don't see my children as often as I used to. But it's a positive change, I can still provide for them, even while I'm away.' Balancing motherhood with a demanding career takes strong support. 'My mother makes it possible,' she says. 'Sometimes people judge me for prioritising my career over traditional roles, even though I'm doing it to take care of my family.' Nosihle believes a new wave of women is stepping into the trucking industry. 'When I first got my Code 14 licence, many of my former colleagues, people living in informal settlements, were against the idea. They had concerns and didn't understand that for me, it was a dream come true. Once I got my job, they followed and got their licences too.' For Nosihle, it doesn't stop here. She has been celebrated during an annual internal career recognition campaign called 40 under 40 and continues to dream even bigger. 'I want to train and uplift other women, especially from small towns like mine. We belong in this industry too.' Her message to young women, especially those from overlooked communities? 'Women aren't just being hired to tick boxes anymore, we're proving ourselves as safer, more reliable drivers. If I can do it, so can you.'
News24
10 hours ago
- Business
- News24
Durban company owner arrested along with allegedly undocumented foreign truck driver staff
About 20 undocumented foreign nationals were arrested at a KwaZulu-Natal mining and logistics company after a surprise raid led by Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli. The operation was sparked by a tip-off that more than 80 undocumented truck drivers were employed there, undercutting local workers. Ntuli warned that employers hiring undocumented workers would be arrested as raids continue. At least 20 undocumented foreign nationals, believed to be truck drivers, were taken into custody on Friday morning as part of an unannounced operation at a Durban mining and logistics company. The company's owner has also been arrested, according to KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli, but he has not appeared in court yet and therefore cannot be identified. The premier led the operation, which took place after an anonymous tip-off that the company was employing more than 80 undocumented foreign nationals as truck drivers. 'We are here because there has been a cry from the local truck drivers that their opportunities are given to undocumented foreign nationals because they accept low salaries. Our informers told us that there are almost 85 undocumented foreign nationals who are driving trucks for this company alone. We were able to find some of them this morning,' Ntuli said. READ | Two more arrested as Hawks crack down on KZN passport syndicate He added that employers who hire undocumented foreigners must be held liable and face criminal charges because they know the law and should not employ people who do not have proper papers. 'They must be legal and within a certain category (scarce skills) before employment. No South African can go to another country without papers and be employed there. Unfortunately, our business leaders in the province employ these people. This seriously affects our economy and unemployment rate,' Ntuli said. On Thursday, Ntuli unveiled the Sibaya Coastal Precinct in Durban, a R6 billion investment that he says will create more than 70 000 jobs in five years. Ntuli assured investors they would ensure the fight against crime was heightened to attract more investors to the province. During the operation on Friday, Ntuli said: 'We need to protect our economy, and we need to protect our people. With this, we are sending a strong message to companies that are still not abiding by the law. I just decided to meet with factory owners and other businesses in the province to communicate a strong message. They must know that they will be arrested when they continue with this.' Ntuli said the operation was ongoing and that more unannounced visits could be expected to factories and companies around the province. On Wednesday, he said, the police had an operation in Hammarsdale, where more than 100 undocumented foreign nationals were arrested. On Thursday, during an operation in Chatsworth, more than 20 undocumented foreign nationals were also arrested, according to the premier. 'Those are huge numbers in the space of two days. You will find that some of them have criminal cases. Apart from going through the deportation process, they will have to face those criminal charges first,' he said. Ntuli added that the South African Bargaining Council would check whether locals working in the companies were being paid the minimum wage. In May, police raided a factory in KwaDukuza, just outside Durban, after a tip-off that a company was employing more than 300 undocumented foreign nationals as factory workers. The raid, which Ntuli also led, was also joined by provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and officials from the Departments of Labour and Home Affairs. During that raid, 179 foreign nationals were arrested, and 158 of them were found to be undocumented. Ntuli said officials were working with the Department of Home Affairs and the police to speed up the deportation process.
News24
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- News24
‘What a great time we had': Selbeyonce bids Ukhozi FM farewell after 13 years
Selby 'Selbeyonce' Mkhize is leaving Ukhozi FM after 13 years on the KZN-based radio station. Having joined the station in 2012, the accolades she has received include an SA Radio Award and DStv Mzansi Viewers' Choice Award nomination for Best Radio Personality. The station expressed pride in her contributions and wished her well as she embarks on a new chapter in her career. Award-winning radio personality Selby Mkhize, better known as Selbeyonce, will host her final show on Ukhozi FM this Wednesday. The radio station confirmed her departure after a 13-year journey that captivated audiences and cemented her place as a beloved voice on South African airwaves. 'The time has come for me to say goodbye to the mighty Ukhozi FM. What an amazing 13 years it has been,' Selbeyonce said about her departure. 'Jehova, I don't even know what to say or where to start.' Selbeyonce joined Ukhozi FM in 2012 as a contributor to the Umnyakazo Top20 show. In 2014, she officially signed on as the Woza Nabangani Bakho afternoon drive show host. Over her tenure, her talent, charisma, and drive earned her recognition, including the Afternoon Drive Presenter Award at the 2023 SA Radio Awards and a nomination for Best Radio Personality at the DStv Mzansi Viewers' Choice Awards. 'Ngifuna ukubonga wena mlaleli (I want to thank you, the listener) for the love you have given me throughout the years, ukungamukela kuloMzakazo ngezandla ezimhlophe (for welcoming me on this radio station warmly). Oh, what a great time we had together. Honestly, I don't know what to say. Lapho (that time), I always have something to say,' she said, giving a heartfelt thanks to her listeners. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Selby 'Selbeyonce' Mkhize (@thisisselby) In a show of humility, Selbeyonce also honoured her faith and the opportunities that shaped her career: 'God, thank you for the talent you have given me, and I never take it for granted. Thank you, Lord, for the best job in the world. The opportunities you have granted me, the people I have met and worked with, and the lives I have touched. Nkosi Ngiyabonga (Lord, I thank you).' Ukhozi FM business manager Lwazi Mthabela praised her contributions, saying, 'Selby has been an invaluable member of our family. Her commitment and enthusiasm have significantly contributed to the success of the station. She has represented the Ukhozi FM brand with pride and professionalism, winning awards and touching the hearts of many. We are immensely proud of her growth and hard work in building her personal brand, and we wholeheartedly support her as she embarks on this exciting new chapter. We wish her all the best in her future endeavours.'
The Herald
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald
Zuma too old, Papa Penny a clown: Malema urges KZN voters to ditch MK
Malema also criticised the performance of the MK Party, considered one of the main reasons for the EFF's downfall, as the official opposition in the province and nationally — and MP Gezani 'Papa Penny' Kobane in particular. 'You voted here in KZN for MKP and gave them 45%, but what are they doing with it? They are not doing anything here in KZN. In parliament they have numbers, but they are the most useless people. You must tell them they are useless. 'You tried them and they are not delivering, so don't make that mistake again of giving [power to] people who go to parliament to represent you and after they speak no one can make sense of what they are saying, like Penny Penny. Whether he speaks English or vernacular, the guy is just a clown who is not supposed to be in parliament. That's how MK has thanked you, the people of KZN, after you voted [for] them.' Malema also criticised MK Party leader Jacob Zuma, saying he made promises that he failed to deliver on, adding that he was old and belonged in the past. 'You cannot lose power to an old man and say Zuma is the future. How can the old be the future? We must stop listening to simple lies. The youth at university, you cannot allow to be led by the old. The old must retire and the new must emerge and take over South Africa.' TimesLIVE
The Herald
12-06-2025
- Politics
- The Herald
Higher education minister keeps up stonewalling on 'SETA panel'
Higher education and training minister Nobuhle Nkabane continues to dig in her heels over the submission to parliament of the names of the 'independent selection panel' she relied on to make controversial appointments to SETA boards last month. Nkabane had until the close of business on Wednesday to submit records and minutes of the meeting of the 'independent panel' that she says advised on the appointments of the chairpersons of Sector Education and Training Authorities that she was last month ordered to reverse by the presidency. But at the eleventh-hour on Wednesday, it emerged that Nkabane wrote a letter dated June 10 to Tebego Letsie, an ANC MP who chairs the portfolio committee on higher education, asking that the June 10 deadline be extended by a further 20 days, to June 20. The higher education committee had given her the deadline of June 11 last week after she refused to disclose the names and full details of her 'independent panel' at a heated meeting, with Nkabane citing the Protection of Personal Information Act. Nkabane landed in hot water several weeks ago after it emerged that she had appointed controversial and politically connected people to chair the boards of the SETAs. Among them were Buyambo Mantashe, the son of minerals minister Gwede Mantashe who was once deputised by Nkabane in that portfolio. Also on the controversial list were former KZN premier Nomusa Ncube-Dube, former KZN MEC Mike Mabuyakhulu and Johannesburg MMC Loyiso Masuku. The move has pitted Nkabane against President Cyril Ramaphosa, who first ordered her to withdraw the names and most recently also asked her to submit a report to him on the matter. Sources in the higher echelons are adamant that Nkabane's stonewalling on this issue is slowly catching up with her and she will soon run out of options, with some casting doubt on the existence of the 'independent selection panel'. In her letter to Letsie, which has since been shared with all members of the higher education committee, she placed on 'record and confirm my full intention to comply with the portfolio committee's request'. Again citing the POPIA and the Promotion of Access to Information Act, Nkabane said she needed more time to ensure that the information she was preparing to send to parliament would be disclosed in a lawful manner. She told her oversight committee that she had been 'assured that I am legally permitted to disclosed the panellists' details in a lawful manner'. 'For these reasons and in acknowledgment of the panellists' rights to privacy, I have written to each of the members of the selection and evaluation panel and advised them of my intention to comply with the portfolio committee's request. 'However, it remains unlikely that my engagements with them will be completed by the 11 June 2025 deadline. In the circumstances, and to allow the panel members an opportunity to respond to my letter or exercise whatever right they may have, I request an extension of the deadline to 30 June 2025.' The higher education committee was expected to discuss its response to Nkabane's deadline request in the coming days.
