From floor manager to steering 22 wheelers for Shoprite Group: meet Nosihle Mohunu

IOL News

19 hours ago

From dreamer to truck driver: How Nosihle is paving the way for young women in SA.
Image: Supplied.
Nosihle Mohunu is a 29-year-old truck driver from KwaZulu-Natal who's not just steering 22-wheelers, but also shifting perceptions and inspiring a new generation of young South African women to dream bigger.
It's not something you see every day. A young woman driving a 22-wheeler, confidently clocking up long-haul miles, expertly squeezing that rig into tight spaces, and personally handling every inspection with precision.
Mohunu does it all with a bright smile and sometimes even a dance, because for her, there's no better place to be than behind the wheel of one of these giants of the road.
She understands the value of what she does: delivering essential goods and groceries across the country.
Her TikTok videos, filmed from the snug cab of her truck, have already won her thousands of fans.
The world really took notice of Nosihle in December 2023 when a video went viral of her driving through her hometown, Keate's Drift in KwaZulu-Natal, where her mother saw her in action for the first time.
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That moment, caught on camera, has racked up over a million views.
Suddenly, Mohunu, who currently lives in Hazelmere, Kwa-Zulu Natal, was on everyone's radar.
Brand collaborations rolled in, but she turned most of them down. 'I don't want distractions,' she said.
'I want to stay focused on my work,' the young truck driver said.
Before she joined the Shoprite Group, she worked as a floor manager for a company that sold sport and lifestyle products.
In 2021 she took a massive leap that changed her life. Inspired by the flow of trucks passing through her hometown, Mohunu decided to pursue a Code 14 truck licence.
Her decision paid off because after completing Shoprite's learnership programme and acing the practical assessment, she was offered a permanent position.
It's three years later and since then, she's racked up countless safe kilometres.
On one trip alone, she travelled over 1 200 km across borders – a testament to her discipline, focus, and skill.
But the job isn't always easy. Her days can start as early as 04:00 in the morning. Careful route planning and truck inspections are part of her routine.
She logs every journey and keeps detailed records.
'I always make sure to get enough rest at home, since I never want to find myself depending on energy drinks,' she said.
'Music is therapy and there is nothing I enjoy more than listening to music. It always keeps me awake.'
While she enjoys trying new foods, she has a firm favourite when she is driving long distances. 'I love chicken wings,' she said.
As a woman in a male-dominated industry, Mohunu faces unique challenges.
'Female drivers constantly face bias. But many of us are breaking those stigmas and proving what we're capable of.'
She's also the mother of two young children, aged eight and five.
'My work demands a lot of my time, and it's changed things. I don't see my children as often as I used to. But it's a positive change, I can still provide for them, even while I'm away,' she said.
Balancing motherhood with a demanding career takes strong support.
'My mother makes it possible. Sometimes people judge me for prioritising my career over traditional roles, even though I'm doing it to take care of my family,' she added.
Nosihle believes a new wave of women is stepping into the trucking industry.
'When I first got my Code 14 licence, many of my former colleagues, people living in informal settlements, were against the idea. They had concerns and didn't understand that for me, it was a dream come true. Once I got my job, they followed and got their licences too.' She credited the Shoprite Group for championing gender inclusion.
'Trucking has always been male-dominated, but the Shoprite Group has hired several women, not just as drivers, but also in warehouses, doing everything from logistics to forklifts.'
For Nosihle, who is also celebrated during an annual internal career recognition campaign called 40 under 40, it does not stop here.
She continued to dream even bigger.
'I want to train and uplift other women, especially from small towns like mine. We belong in this industry too.'
Her message to young women, especially those from overlooked communities?
'Women aren't just being hired to tick boxes anymore, we're proving ourselves as safer, more reliable drivers. If I can do it, so can you.'
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