Distribution Manager, Amelia Holtzhausen proves that life can take a much rewarding turn when you least expect it.

With aspirations to become a Paediatrician, a dream her parents instilled in her from a very young age quickly changed when she was not admitted to pursue a medical degree at the University of Pretoria. She later opted for a BSC in Medical Sciences, however, fate proved otherwise and she found herself in the job market with an Honours degree. Faced with the challenge of gaining entry in the medical field, Amelia did what most graduates do – go into different industries while they look for employment in their field of study.  She ended up at Barloworld Logistics as an Inbound Clerk, a role she enjoyed to a point that she gave up looking for a job in the medical field and was ready to explore the possibilities that came with Warehousing and Logistics.

Barloworld Automotive & Logistics deploys first black female Franchise Executive, Ford & Mazda

The Motor Industry Staff Association (MISA) recently appealed to the South African retail motor industry to accelerate gender equality in the sector, citing that the industry has been male-dominated for over 100 years. 

South Africa falls amongst the five countries that handle 60% of Africa’s intercontinental air cargo. In 2018, South Africa alone exported goods valued over R14 billion via air freight. With this influx of goods being exported through air, it is indeed vital to understand the intricacies of this mode of transport and how it can propel businesses to new heights. 

South African ports saw over 3 million tonnes of breakbulk goods in 2018, and reports show that this growth trend is indeed projected to continue increasing well into the future. Moving over-dimensional or heavy-lift cargo is no small feat, whether it is massive earth moving yellow equipment bound for copper mines in Zambia or turbine components for a Northern Cape wind farm, transportation and logistics demands are considerably greater as they are unique to each situation.

From shoes made in China to crude oil from India, the ability for businesses to ship goods by sea has brought about global economic benefit. Every year billions of tonnes of goods are shipped along major trade routes, in South Africa alone over R133 billion worth of goods were shipped around the world in 2018.