Watch video: Finding a passion for the job behind the wheel of a bus
Her line of work entails transporting children from and to schools around Boksburg and Vosloorus.
More women are now working as bus drivers, an environment that is highly dominated by men.
The Advertiser spoke to Amelia Molapo, who works for the Ekurhuleni metro as a bus driver, as part of the recent Women’s Month celebrations.
The 44-year-old single mother of two boys from Van Dyk Park has risen against all odds to be where she is in terms of her personal life and career.
Molapo, who has been working as a bus driver for 10 years, said she enjoys her job.
“I never thought that one day I would be a bus driver but because of the situation at home I ended up opting for it. At that time I had two children that depended on me to provide for them since I was a single parent.
“I don’t regret venturing into this career. I won’t trade my job for anything,” she said.
Molapo’s day starts at 5am and it involves picking up school children from Vosloorus to various schools in Boksburg.
From 1.30pm she travels to schools to pick up the children and transport them back home.
“I love these children as my own. I’m not only a bus driver but a mother to them. My friendly personality has welcomed the children to confide in me with whatever that is troubling them at school or at home,” she said.
Molapo shared that to work as a bus driver you must be a people’s person because you get to deal with different characters.
“I work peacefully with my commuters because I have built a good relationship with them. We understand and respect one another.”
The mother of two said when she started working as a bus driver she was often discriminated against by other men who boarded the bus.
“Men would sit in front to see if I was doing the right thing and some of them would openly say that they don’t trust me. After the trips they would jokingly say ‘thank you we didn’t think we’ll come out alive’.”
She said their comments didn’t bring her spirit down because she had confidence in herself and her driving skills.
“I didn’t even feel scared because I knew that once I let fear get in the way I would make mistakes.”
According to Molapo life has become so much easier for women.
“Women are now empowered to start their own businesses, lead companies and do so much more compared to many years ago. We are now treated equally and taken seriously at our workplaces,” Molapo said.
Her message to women this Women’s Month is that they should not be scared to be the best that they can be.
“Women should not choose jobs but should stand tall and be independent,” Molapo said.
- Getting to know her better
Molapo’s father was a mine worker and she lived in a mine house in Westonaria with her siblings and parents.
Life took its turn in 1992 when her father, who was a bread winner, died.
“Adjusting to life after my father’s passing was hard because in 1993 I failed matric and I fell pregnant with my first child. In 1997 I returned to school to rewrite my matric and I passed.
“In 2000 I got my first job as a security guard and in 2003 I worked as a consultant for a medical scheme for six years.”
The following year she applied for a Metrorail driver’s learnership and because she had a code eight driver’s license she landed the job.
“I then got another learnership at City to City where I obtained a code 14 driver’s license and a certificate. I was then hired temporarily by City to City in 2011 as a bus driver and that’s where my driving skills were sharpened. I also worked at Rea Vaya until 2014 when I landed my job at the metro,” Molapo said.
Her friend of two years, Busiswe Radebe, has described her friend as a humble and supportive person who gives good advices.
