Many women in South Africa are now playing important roles in industries that were previously seen as part of a “man’s world”. Trucking is one of these and today women have roles in all aspects of this important contributor to people mobility and goods transport.
Hino South Africa is one of those local companies where women are playing increasingly meaningful roles in overall management and operations.
Dikeledi Mjilo is a good example. She is a Principal Engineer at the assembly plant in Prospecton, near Durban, having held this position at Hino for the past nine years. She reached this position after coming through the ranks, starting as a graduate trainee.
During the previous four years Dikeledi worked in the Production Engineering and Planning Department which supports the various disciplines in the assembly plant. This included projects in the Hino operational area, where these people were her customers in terms of tooling, equipment and facility requirements. Now she is part of that team!
“Honestly, I never imagined I would work for a major truck manufacturer, but I am proud of how, unexpectedly, my career journey has unfolded,” commented Dikeledi.
“My role at Hino is to ensure we build high-quality trucks safely, on time and as cost effectively as possible. These goals are achieved by using tools such as time studies, line balancing, continuous improvement (Kaizen), ergonomic risk assessments, defect reduction processes and root cause analysis.
“I derive a great deal of enjoyment from my career, particularly the interaction with team members on the shop floor, such as finding out the challenges they face in performing their various tasks and then supporting them to improve and optimise their operations. Seeing them happy makes me happy too!
“I am particularly proud to be a member of the Hino team at the assembly plant and find personal reward in knowing that the work I do is contributing to building reliable trucks that will keep businesses moving, while giving me the opportunity to grow, learn, and ensure what I do makes a meaningful, positive impact on eventual outcomes,” she added.
Dikeledi says there have been several milestones in her career to date. These began when she graduated with a cum laude for one of her qualifications while studying part time with a newborn baby and adapting to married life. Then came being part of the project team that successfully moved Hino production to its current site, followed by completing a management development programme which introduced her to self-mastery, deep introspection and learning to lead from within.
Married, with three beautiful children, Dikeledi is active in community work after working hours as part of a team initiated by a fellow Hino worker. They support different needs in various communities ranging from providing school shoes to pupils to building and furnishing a house for old folk.
“Above all else, my most important milestone occurs daily and that is coming to work and being happy while contributing to the outputs of an inclusive team in a healthy environment,” concluded Dikeledi.
Another woman making a difference at Hino SA is Shanaaz Khan, who has been Fleet Manager for the past four years after beginning her career with the company in 2013 as an Administrative Clerk and Personal Assistant. She subsequently progressed to the position of Assistant Manager: Administration, Sales and Tenders in 2017 and was promoted to Fleet Manager in 2022.
“During my varied career I have developed a strong understanding for business ethics, dealer network operations, sales administration and customer service, all of which prepared me for my current position. As Fleet Manager I am responsible for managing strategic fleet accounts, developing customer relationships, supporting the dealer network in developing fleet business, identifying business growth opportunities and driving sales in the fleet environment,” explained Shanaaz.
“I certainly did not envisage a career path that has seen me now filling an important position at Hino. My focus when I began working was on gaining experience, developing my skills and making meaningful contributions to the company when opportunities arose. Joining Hino in 2013 opened the door to an industry I quickly became passionate about and my passion grew as I progressed through various roles in the company.
“I am particularly proud to be part of the Hino team as it is a brand known for quality, reliability and customer focus. There is a strong sense of teamwork and collaboration in the Hino family which makes for a rewarding working environment. The most enjoyable part of my work is the opportunity to build and maintain meaningful relationships with customers, dealers and colleagues,” commented Shanaaz.
She says there have been several important milestones along her career path with the completion of her Marketing Management NQF Level qualification being one of them.
“My major milestones have come from helping people grow, succeed and create better futures for themselves. This trend continues in my life outside work. Besides being part of a blended family with eight children, my fiancé and I fostered a two-year-old toddler when his mother was struggling with drug addiction and subsequently had the mother placed in a rehabilitation centre. We continue to work with the centre and other community activities aimed at helping individuals with substance abuse.
“I am especially grateful to Hino for valuing employee development and providing opportunities for continuous learning and career advancement,” concluded Shanaaz.
Samantha Visagie holds a senior position at Hino South Africa as the Senior Manager of Hino Sales and Dealer Network. Having stepped into this role 7 months ago, she continues to bring both strategic precision and an inclusive, approachable energy to the team.
Samantha’s professional journey began when she was awarded an engineering bursary, which paved the way for her to join Toyota SA Motors (TSAM). She embarked on her career as a graduate trainee at the HiAce assembly plant in Prospecton, where she gained invaluable hands-on experience from the very start.
Her career progressed to Engineering Manager for HiAce Assembly and Logistics, where her interest in commercial segment start. She went on to graduate with distinction in a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management and subsequently earned her MBA from the prestigious Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS).
Samantha’s career once again progressed from a stint in Human Resource Development and Talent Management to the Hino Assembly Plant, where she was responsible for truck production and spearheaded the successful 2022 launch of the new Hino 700 series, a milestone achieved after the plant’s pioneering post-flood restart, she subsequently moved into Business Planning as Senior Manager and has most recently relocated to Sandton to join the Hino Sales and Marketing team.
“My career has significantly exceeded my expectations. I never imagined reaching a management level, making my current position at a leading South African truck manufacturer a truly rewarding achievement. My journey here has been defined by multiple rotations, and rather than simply adapting, I’ve learned to truly embrace change, finding energy in hands-on, practical learning.
“In my current role, I’m passionate about driving Hino South Africa’s annual sales success across our dealer network. That means getting creative with incentive and Sales support programmes to stay ahead of the competition, while also sharpening our dealers’ operational efficiency. I take genuine pride in upholding our franchise standards, ensuring every dealer not only meets compliance but reflects the very best of our brand,” added Samantha.
“Beyond the numbers, I genuinely enjoy encouraging collaboration as part of the Hino Dealer Council, bridging the gap between our dealers and leadership. On a national scale, I represent our dealers’ interests, constantly looking for strategic opportunities to weave TSAM’s transformation targets into the fabric of our network, so we all move forward together.
“I am enjoying the diversity that my current role offers with each day being different. I am learning constantly and always working on a variety of projects. I am particularly proud to be a member of the Hino South Africa team as it is a great brand backed by values that I align with a culture that puts people first,” concluded Samantha.
