Life Under Lockdown – a Truck Driver’s Story
Condris Mahlake – Truck Driver, Vector Logistics – Mpumalanga
“Truck drivers are like soldiers. I explain to my family that I have to work so that we can eat. Everyone needs to eat and some people need to make sacrifices to make sure this happens. This is what we truck drivers are doing.”
Condris Mahlake – Truck Driver, Vector Logistics
Based in Mpumalanga, Condris Mahlake has been working as a truck driver for three years. His work delivering frozen and chilled food products takes him around the province of Mpumalanga, on trips lasting up to eight hours. Life on the road for truck drivers since the onset of Coronavirus is different and challenging.
“We are scared,” says Condris. “We are fearful of touching things and of being too close to other people, as we don’t know their status. If someone sneezes, we are fearful.”
Condris explains that he and his fellow truck drivers adhere to the best practice guidelines and act responsibly. “We keep our 1m distance when we offload goods. We wear our gloves and our masks. We also sanitise our hands regularly.” His employer, Vector Logistics, supplies its team with gloves, masks and hand sanitisers. They have also organised transport for their drivers, to ensure they get to work safely.
Family life has also changed as a result of the virus. “This is a huge challenge,” explains Condris, who lives with his partner and their nine-year-old son. “My son loves to hug me and play around,” he explains. “I have had to teach him all about social distancing. It is heart-breaking when he asks me if I don’t love him anymore”.
“They also worry about me when I am on the road,” he continues. “I remind them that we all have to eat and that someone needs to make a sacrifice to make sure that this happens”.
“I am proud to be a truck driver, a soldier in the fight against Coronavirus,” says Condris. “I am also excited to see how people are coming together and supporting each other in the fight against the virus”.
“As South Africans and as drivers, we need to unite and take Covid19 seriously,” says Condris. “We need to stop spreading rumours and fake news about the virus.”
His parting wish? Stay at home, stay safe” he urges. “We truck drivers are out there on the roads for you!”
