Kiara Baijnath: SA’s youngest long-haul fleet owner
21-year-old Kiara Baijnath is a Durban-based businesswoman and the youngest long-haul truck fleet owner in South Africa.
In a remarkable achievement, 21-year-old Kiara Baijnath has become one of South Africa's youngest long-haul fleet owners.
In January, she took ownership of five brand-new Volvo FH extra-heavy trucks, complete with distinctive pink branding and bright pink double-link trailers.
These trucks will form the foundation of HerWay Logistics, a new haulage operator for bulk deliveries across South Africa.
Baijnath's passion for logistics began at a young age when she accompanied her grandfather on his delivery trips. After finishing school, she started working on her business plan for a female-owned long-haul operator, one that would also provide training and employment opportunities for women drivers.
With the support of her parents and a starter loan, Baijnath approached Volvo Trucks in Durban with her deposit and business plan.
To her surprise, Volvo Trucks was enthusiastic about her plan, and Baijnath was able to think bigger than before. She opted for larger trucks and invested in Volvo's Connect fleet management system, which allows her to monitor her fleet's mechanical health and driver performance remotely.
HerWay Logistics will start with long-haul deliveries between Durban and Johannesburg, South Africa's busiest route.
Baijnath plans to expand her reach beyond the N3, including to neighbouring countries. She's already structured her business to include these regions in her service contract with Volvo Trucks.
Baijnath is deeply committed to women's empowerment and road safety, with plans to collaborate with Volvo Trucks on a specialised driver training programme.
Her bright pink trucks will be hard to miss on the road, symbolising her dedication to ensuring the safety of her drivers, cargo, and fellow road users.
HerWay Logistics currently operates from its truck yard and offices in Prospecton, Durban, with plans to set up depots across South Africa as the business grows.
HOW TO LISTEN TO EAST COAST RADIO
1. Listen to East Coast Radio on the FM (frequency modulation) spectrum between 94 and 95 FM on your radio.
2. Listen live to ECR by clicking here or download the ECR App (iOS/Android).
3. Listen to East Coast Radio on the DStv audio bouquet, channel 836.
4. Switch to the audio bouquet on your Openview decoder and browse to channel 606.
5. Listen to us on Amazon Alexa.
Follow us on social media:
Image courtesy Volvo
MORE ON EAST COAST RADIO
Have a similar story or something unique to share? Email us at [email protected], we would love to hear from you!