Skilled workers along South Africa’s toll routes play a critical yet often overlooked role in keeping the country’s logistics engine running smoothly. From control room operators and weighbridge staff to on-the-ground support teams, these professionals help ensure that freight moves efficiently while also creating a safer, more responsive environment for truck drivers. Through initiatives like Bakwena’s bursary and learnership programmes – which develop talent from within local communities – these roles are increasingly filled by individuals who not only understand the demands of the route but are also deeply invested in its success. The result is a workforce that helps reduce delays, supports driver wellness and boosts job satisfaction across the freight and logistics sector.
Bakwena is translating its commitment to community upliftment into real opportunities, with its bursary and learnership programmes continuing to change lives across the N1N4 corridor. In 2024 alone, the company funded 10 external bursaries, 11 external learnerships and 7 internal bursaries – investments aimed squarely at empowering South Africans through education and skills development.
Springboards for stellar careers
Two of the programme’s recent success stories, Catherine Morena and Boitumelo Joy Ngobeni, both graduated in 2025 with the help of Bakwena’s financial support. Their achievements speak not only to personal determination but also to the company’s broader impact on education and employment in local communities.
Morena, a long-serving Bakwena employee, started as a communications clerk and has steadily moved through the ranks to become commercial support officer at the company’s head office. Her journey – spanning toll operations, weighbridge services and head office functions – makes her one of Bakwena’s most versatile professionals. With the help of a Bakwena bursary, she recently completed a Bachelor of Business Administration degree.
“This academic sponsorship marked a significant milestone in my personal and professional development. I remain deeply grateful for the confidence Bakwena placed in my potential and for playing an important role in shaping my academic and professional journey,” she says.
Ngobeni, another proud bursary recipient, graduated with two qualifications in Integrated Communication from Tshwane University of Technology. “I am proud to say that I am a product of Bakwena Platinum Bursaries and I will always be grateful for the opportunity provided to me. Bakwena’s investment in my education has not only empowered me but has also inspired me to make a positive impact in my community,” she says.
Holistic help for society and economy
Beyond bursaries, Bakwena’s construction learnership programme continues to create practical pathways for unemployed youth along the N1N4 route. Combining theoretical study with hands-on experience at Bakwena project sites, the programme equips participants with critical skills – and for many, it opens the door to permanent employment.
According to Bakwena COO, Solomon Kganyago: “Applications for Bakwena’s 2025 bursary intake are now open to both employees and university students in second year and beyond. To qualify, applicants must be South African citizens, registered at a local university, maintain a 60% average and preferably reside within 6km of the N1N4 route. Required documents include a motivation letter, certified ID copy, proof of residence and academic transcripts.”
Application forms can be downloaded from the Bakwena website and submitted via email to info@bakwena.co.za, using ‘Bursary Application’ as the subject line, he adds.
“The youth are the future of South Africa and we are dedicated to making a meaningful difference by empowering them with the knowledge to help them achieve their goals. We believe that we have a responsibility as a business to have a positive impact on many aspects of the lives of people in the communities surrounding the N1N4 route, bringing positive change, inspiration and hope, creating a brighter future for the next generation,” Kganyago concludes.
Editor’s comment: In an era where the efficiency of our logistics networks underpins the entire economy, skills development in the sector is not a luxury – it’s an imperative. Upskilling workers along vital corridors like the N1N4 does more than enhance operational performance and economic competitiveness; it transforms lives.
By investing in education and practical training, companies like Bakwena are helping to build a workforce that thrives both on the highway and at home. This holistic approach to development fosters not only stronger supply chains but also stronger communities, proving that true progress is measured not just in profits, but in human opportunity and well-being.
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