A single mother’s drive toward empowerment in trucking

IN an era where traditional gender roles are increasingly being challenged, some women are stepping into sectors long dominated by men, striving to secure their own livelihoods and the future of their children.

This shift is particularly evident when the traditional providers in families are unable to fulfil their roles, prompting women to explore alternative means of support.

Miss Emely Sibbs, a 36-year-old single mother from Chitungwiza, exemplifies this trend.

Driven by both passion and necessity, she has ventured into the trucking industry — a field predominantly occupied by men.

Her determination to offer a better life for her children has fuelled her journey into this challenging profession, showcasing the growing empowerment of women in the workforce.

“I started driving after I realised that my husband wasn’t taking care of me and the kids before he divorced me. I started driving when I was 23 and drove commuter omnibuses. I then moved to small trucks before I started driving buses plying different routes.

“I then moved back to trucks and I now ply the Durban, South Africa, to Zambia route,” she said.

As a mother of two — a 15-year-old daughter and a 10-year-old son — Miss Sibbs has taken to the roads to ensure her children receive quality education and a stable upbringing.

Despite confronting the prevalent stereotypes in a male-dominated field, she remains undeterred, embodying resilience and determination.

Miss Sibbs’ experience highlights the evolving landscape of employment, where women are increasingly asserting their presence and succeeding in traditionally male-centric professions.

“Working with men has many challenges, as people will start calling you names. Some start saying you are not a female or you are a man, but you just have to man up.

“My family has accepted it and what I want is to take good care of my kids, sending them to good schools and giving them what they want. Sometimes I feel the pain, but because I’m the mother and father of my kids, there is nothing I can do,” she said. –@SikhulekelaniM1