WOMEN'S DAY CELEBRATION WITH TRANSPORT MEC
In honour of the multi award winning Kopano Bus Service and the closure of Women’s Month (August) activities, Limpopo Transport and Community Safety Department hosted a celebratory event at Jack Botes Hall in Polokwane recently (1 September 2022). Ms Olivia Maponya, Executive Director of Kopano Bus Service, backed by board members, managers and some staff members were at the center of the show because the company picked up notable accolades during the Women’s Month. The latest milestone for Kopano Bus Service is the Standard Bank’s Top Gender Empowered Company 2022 Award in its sector valid from 29/08/22 until 29/08/23.
But as the MEC in charge of the Department, Ms Polly Boshielo could not attend the celebrations at Jack Botes Hall (Polokwane), Dr Namane Dickson Masemola, MEC for Social Development stepped in on her behalf. “We are here today to celebrate one of the major milestones ever achieved by women leaders and at this point in time through Kopano Bus Service. And to Ms Maponya, we say, job well done dear sister, job well done together with your board at Kopano Bus Service. Once you are geared for a goal you never look
back,” said Masemola.
He also expressed appreciation to women who are already playing central roles in government, civil society organisations and in corporate South Africa taking major
decisions.“It is not by accident of history; it is not a favour that women must be provided space. That is why we say unless and until women are free from all forms of oppression, our democracy is incomplete. And key among those matters is economic emancipation. Women must be in this economy in their numbers and in the decision making.”
Making it clear that he was borrowing words from a renown academic, Masemola added, “A strong woman knows she has strength enough for the journey, but a woman of strength knows it is in the journey where she would come strong.” Amidst ululations from the hall, mostly bus commuters invited at the ceremony the MEC and the provincial Transport and Community Safety Department entourage including acting Head (HOD) Mr Steve Matjena took part in the displaying of Kopano Bus Services awards and accolades.
Masemola urged community members, particularly women to focus on economic
opportunities and never shy away from consulting government departments and
entities from assistance. Talking from the podium, Maponya paid tribute to the 10-member founding and still current directors and shareholders of Kopano Bus Service for having
confidence. She mentioned that shareholders appointed her the CEO despite not
only as the youngest but the only female member as well.
“These fellow nine male shareholders not only entrusted me with a huge responsibility of leading, but they supported me throughout the journey since the company started operations from 2001. They are still continuing their valuable support.
“As we all know, the transport sector is traditionally male dominated but that is about to change because we have women leaders who understand the struggle of women. These women are ready to empower other women so that we can travel this journey together.
“At Kopano Bus Service we will train 200 young women from the remote rural areas of Limpopo on driving busses,” said Maponya The intrepid CEO believes that success of every organisations is a collective of teamwork of all employees and managers across gender divide.
10 MEMBER DIRECTORS
Mr John Modjela is currently the Chairperson following the passing of the founding chairperson M Herman Mangwale (May his soul rest in peace) during 2001.
OUR PASSENGER BUSES
Kopano Bus Service fleet is mainly made of 65- and 80-seater buses. These buses are reliable, comfortable and consistently clean to offer passengers a superior onboard experience.
