Girteka Drivers

Four years ago, Chiedza Blessing Mutumwa couldn’t have imagined she’d be driving trucks across Europe. Yet today, she finds herself behind the wheel for Girteka, navigating the highways of a continent far from her Zimbabwean home. Her story is one of unexpected turns and embracing new challenges. 

Finding her passion on the road 

Chiedza’s journey into trucking was not quite straightforward. “When I acquired my license, I wanted to become an ambulance driver, because previously I worked in the health department,” she explains. Her initial motivation stemmed from a desire to help others, a trait cultivated during her time in healthcare. 

However, a chance encounter on social media changed her trajectory. “I saw a lady that was a truck driver in South Africa. I messaged her and asked how to become a driver like her,” Chiedza recalls. This interaction challenged her preconceptions about the industry. “Previously I thought that trucks are for men, and I’m very small. But I decided that I will take on this challenge.” 

For Chiedza, trucking is a passion that grew from embracing a challenge. “I’d say I didn’t join the field because of choice, but because of passion. I fell in love with the challenge. I fell in love with the job,” she shares. 

One of the aspects she enjoys most about her work with Girteka is the opportunity to travel and broaden her horizons. “The more you travel, the more you see, the more you learn, the more you interact with people from different societies, from different cultures,” Chiedza explains. This exposure has given her a unique perspective on the world. “Your vision is broader because you meet people from different regions or different cultures. So you’ve got a broader look of things.” 

New horizons and personal growth

Chiedza’s career has offered her unique perspectives and memorable moments. She recalls her first time driving through the 4 kilometre-long Huguenot Tunnel near Cape Town, an experience that left an impression: “I thought I had seen it all!” In Europe, she appreciates the scenic routes, particularly along the coastlines of Spain and Italy. One destination, however, holds a special place in her heart: “I’ve been to Paris. It has been my dream to go there. Whenever I drive in Paris, I feel good.” 

The transition to driving in Europe has been a journey of personal and professional growth for Chiedza. “Driving in Europe has given me discipline as a driver,” she reflects. She’s noticed significant differences in road management and safety practices compared to her experiences in Africa. 

One particular skill she’s honed is navigation. “In Africa, if I’m going to, say, Mozambique, I’m just going to the port, so I know my way there, because it’s just the same road every day. Here, you have to navigate your way to the place you need to go, and there are many low bridges, which you have to take into account when planning your route,” Chiedza explains. This challenge has sharpened her skills and boosted her confidence. “I now believe I can drive anywhere in the world, as long as I’m using navigation.” 

When asked about essential qualities for aspiring truck drivers, Chiedza emphasises confidence and quick thinking. “You must be sure of what you are doing. You must be someone who is quick in making decisions when you’re on the road – you can’t drive otherwise.” 

She’s passionate about encouraging other women to try out trucking. “It’s not something that is too difficult to do for women,” Chiedza asserts. She sees her role as helping to change perceptions and increase recognition for women in the industry. “I encourage more women to join the field, because it makes us more recognized in the world.” 

Chiedza notes that there’s still work to be done in changing perceptions, especially in her home continent. “In Africa, sometimes when you go to a loading point or unloading point or a truck stop, people are surprised when they see a woman coming out of the truck. Sometimes, they think you are the driver’s girlfriend.” She laughs this off, adding firmly, “But you’re not there because you are dating the driver. You’re on the truck to do what a male driver does. It’s a job that women can be equally successful at.”