The days when ports used to be a man's world are slowly diminishing as women at Transnet Port Terminals' Port Elizabeth terminal assume key positions in this previously male dominated maritime environment. Phindeka Madlavu has been appointed as a bulk terminal manager while Dawn Sayster will head the planning department as of 1st August 2010.

Madlavu is back in the hot seat bringing with her vast experience from the terminal's container facility where she was responsible for overseeing operational efficiencies.

She first joined the then Portnet in 1998 as an Employee Assistance Practitioner responsible for ensuring the wellness of employees.

The BA Social Sciences Honours graduate has a long list of qualifications to her name, among them a Diploma in Logistics and Supply Chains Management and a Diploma in Labour Law.

She attributes her career success at TPT to a life changing visit to international container terminals in Belgium.

"The visit was an eye opener; I learned that whatever we do as a terminal should match international standards in order for us to compete globally. It was confirmation that we can compete with the best, given that we do have the same equipment," she said.

Her first move within the company was in 2001 when she was promoted as a Bulk Terminal Operations Manager. She was tasked with overseeing the bulk operations, planning accordingly to run an efficient operation that meets customer demands and ensures a safe environment.

Changing roles and leading in a male dominated environment was relatively easy according to Madlavu.

"I received support from other female colleagues, and the secret is also to constantly build relationships through teamwork so as to create a cohesive team that can deliver on our customers' expectations," she says.

Meanwhile Dawn Sayster, a Diploma in Logistics graduate, began her career at TPT in 1996 as a data capturer in the planning department. She worked her way up through commitment and dedication. In 2004 she was promoted to a management position as head of the container terminals.

Working in a male dominated world for Dawn meant extra hard work and dedication.

"I had to constantly ask a lot of questions to ensure competency and I was able to take constructive criticism and turn it into positivity," she said.

In 2006 she moved to the car terminal as the manager overseeing all operations for the terminal. According to Sayster the secret to her success has been brought about by aligning her own personal values to that of Transnet in order to ensure excellence in her work.

"I treat my colleagues with respect and dignity, I also believe in honesty at all times and I'm more tolerant of those I work with," she says.

Her last appointment was in 2009 when she was appointed as an Operations Manager at the state of the art Ngqura Container Terminal.

Both Madlavu and Sayster are clear examples that hard work and dedication pay off.