Female train drivers prosper through democracy

By Sibongiseni Thabethe

The lack of information about careers and sometimes government policies may result in people choosing certain careers unintentionally because they have no alternative. But since South Africa had democratic government, different types of professions are exposed especially to young people.

Mrs Nqobile Mdletshe (maiden name Mdladla) is one of the youths that have grabbed opportunities brought forward by democracy in the last ten years. The 32-year old former secretary from Mtubatuba, KZN north coast, now drives a train at Metrorail in Durban.

She started in 2001 as a train guard and later trained as a driver that takes two years, the first six to seven months being theory and the rest practical training. During practicals, she says, they learn not only to drive which is the easiest part, but also to fix the train. "We learn to fix trains because if you have a breakdown, you are responsible for fixing it unless it’s a major fault," she explains.

Interestingly, this mother of two kids says while she never dreamt about driving train before, she believes many people would have dreamt about this career had opportunities been brought forward irrespective of race and or gender.

"Although I cannot safely say the job has a lot of money, given the time the groups had to empower themselves, but it makes difference if you can afford your own car, house and support your family.

"It even gives encouragement to me that my family supports me and is very proud to have a train driver. I would like to invite all other youths especially women to come on board and be cautious about careers because there are more opportunities coming with democracy in South Africa," she says with a confident smile.

Meanwhile, out of 54 female train drivers, Metrorail has 48 Black drivers, 4 Asian, 1 Coloured and 1 White. Transformation has not taken place on women only. Out of 235 male drivers, there are 105 Blacks, 22 Asians, 2 Coloured and 106 Whites.

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