Unitrans Drivers Shine At Iveco #thankyoutrucker Awards

Celebrating Courage, Commitment and the Everyday Heroes Who Keep SA Moving

Two Unitrans drivers, Mavis Ndumo and Dennis Hlatshwayo, have been honoured among South Africa’s top professional drivers at the 2025 IVECO #ThankYouTrucker Awards – with Mavis claiming first place nationally and Dennis securing third.

While the awards recognise technical skill and safety excellence, their stories reveal something even more powerful: the human spirit behind the wheel and the people who keep industries, communities and supply chains moving every day. 

Mavis Ndumo: Strength, Purpose and a Passion for the Road

For Mavis, driving is more than a job; it’s a calling shaped by resilience, discipline and deep pride. A tanker driver in the TotalEnergies Alrode fleet, she has safely delivered over 3.6 million litres in the past six months alone, completed more than 100 trips without incident, and upheld 181 injury-free days.

But her achievements carry the weight of a personal journey. Mavis has survived hijackings, endured profound loss and raised her children as a single mother, all while maintaining a career defined by precision and professionalism.

“What I enjoy most about my job is the freedom of the open road and knowing that the work we do helps keep South Africa moving,” she says. “There is a real sense of responsibility in this role, and I’m proud to carry it. I also value being part of the Unitrans family; a company that truly prioritises safety and professionalism.”

Mavis is also committed to changing the face of the transport industry. “This industry needs more women,” she says. “We are capable, strong and disciplined. If you love driving and you’re willing to learn, there’s a place for you. Go for it. Don’t let fear stop you.” 

Her next goal? To become a driver trainer and help more women unlock their potential behind the wheel. And she’s already well on her way. Mavis has completed all her driver training courses and is now awaiting official accreditation. Added to this, she has recently been appointed as a Master Driver for the Total Alrode operations, a testament to her discipline, skill, and commitment to excellence.

Dennis Hlatshwayo: 18 Years of Humility, Excellence and Dependability

Now in his 18th year at Unitrans, Dennis is known throughout the organisation for his humility, consistency, and unwavering focus on safety. Over the past six months, he has completed 228 loads – an average of 38 loads per month – and travelled 54,900 incident-free kilometres. During this period, he has also maintained 181 injury-free days, consistently demonstrating calm precision in challenging conditions, from heavy rain to urgent customer deliveries during peak holiday periods.

To Dennis, being a great driver is about much more than steering a truck. “Experience, safety, respect and time management are the things that make a good truck driver,” he explains. “You must always focus on safety first, learn from every load and build good relationships with your colleagues.”

The recognition, he says, is deeply meaningful. “Being recognised means a lot to me and encourages me to keep pushing for excellence. Unitrans is like family. They’ve supported me for 18 years and trusted me with big responsibilities. I’m proud to contribute to their reputation for reliability.” 

A People-First Safety Culture That Runs Deep 

The achievements of Mavis and Dennis reflect a safety culture that has defined Unitrans for decades. Consistent recognition from IVECO, Hollard Highway Heroes, MasterDrive and multiple SHEQ awards underscores a simple truth: at Unitrans, safety isn’t an annual milestone; it’s a daily way of working.

 This commitment is supported by rigorous driver training, regular refresher programmes, advanced telematics, continuous visibility and strict SHEQ standards. But at its core, Unitrans’ safety culture is driven by people; by drivers who live these values on every journey. 

Everyday Heroes Who Make Growth Happen

For Unitrans, these awards are more than industry accolades; they show how the company’s promise – to be a transformative partner driven to make growth happen – is delivered through its people. Mavis and Dennis embody this Everyday Hero ethos through their humility, discipline and commitment to doing things the right way. Their dedication ensures reliability for customers, stability for industries and progress for the communities they serve.

Their stories reveal that growth is created by people who care: early mornings, long hours and the determination to make every trip safer than the last. These are the drivers who keep the country connected and moving.

“The #ThankYouTrucker competition continues to elevate standards across SA’s road-freight sector,” said Gavin Kelly, CEO of the Road Freight Association (RFA). “Professional drivers like Mavis and Dennis demonstrate the discipline, skill and safety-first mindset that keeps our industry moving.”

“At IVECO, we believe that every safe journey strengthens SA’s logistics backbone,” said Martin Liebenberg, MD of IVECO South Africa. “Mavis and Dennis have shown what excellence looks like; professionalism, responsibility and genuine care for everyone on the road.

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