Beauty Hlatshwayo has been with TNT Express for 33 years, making her the longest-serving member of the courier company. Margaret Harris got to know her a little better

When you were a child, what did you want to be?

I wanted to be a teacher, but I was from a very poor family so I had to look for a job and put my younger sisters through school.

Are there lots of jobs available to women drivers?

No, women drivers are hardly ever seen - especially in the courier industry.

How did you get your job?

On January 1 1977, I started as a tea girl. I then became a messenger, collecting mail from the post office, doing some filing, making tea and doing collections around the Carlton Centre area. My uncle, who had a car, taught me to drive. I came to work one Friday with the car, though I still did not have a licence. My boss asked me to get my licence so he could make me the first woman driver. I got my licence the following year and started to do collections with a mini. As business grew I was given a Toyota Stallion, which I used to drive as far as Krugersdorp and Selby. I now have a code 10 licence (heavy vehicles).

How did you make it in a very male-dominated industry?

It was not very easy, but I got used to it by having lots of patience and being courteous and polite with clients.

What qualifications do you need and where did you train?

I trained at TNT, at customer services and reception at first. But I was more interested in driving, so I took that route.

You spend long periods alone in your vehicle, how do you cope with being on your own?

I have become very used to it and I do not mind being alone.

What advice would you have for other aspirant drivers, especially other women?

Have patience and tolerance because the client is always right. Be strong and be the best that you can.

What hours do you work?

I start at 7am and knock off at 5.30pm

Any strange or unusual experiences in your job?

The worst experience was being hijacked; the vehicle was carrying high-value goods and the hijackers were wearing traffic officers' clothing. They asked me for my licence and told me that one of my permits had expired and I should come to their car to see if I had other tickets. Someone jumped in the vehicle, they put me in the back and drove off. They dropped me off in the veld in Midrand. A lady stopped and came to help; she phoned her husband, who phoned TNT.

You have to deal with other people as part of your job; how easy is it to handle angry or rude customers?

Always be calm and smile.

What's the worst part of your job?

Going to a customer to collect a parcel and finding that it is not ready or that the documentation has not been done - especially when they call and say that everything is ready.

What would people find surprising about your job? Though this is regarded as a man's job, I can perform all my duties perfectly well and without any problems.

If you weren't doing this, what job would you like to have?

Now I am old, I must now consider my retirement when I can put my feet up and relax after over 30 years in the courier industry.