Meet Miriam Mzangaza, known to many as Masigwede. A proud mother, trucker, and now, an instant heroine.
Miriam did something extraordinary while stranded on the N3 near Van Reenen Pass. Instead of focusing on her distress, she reached out to fellow stranded motorists, offering them a simple but heartfelt gesture – a hot cup of coffee and some cornflakes. She even went the extra mile by preparing supper to ensure everyone was cared for.
Trucker Mirriam has overcome a challenging journey to become who she is today. Discover her story in her own words, as shared in a post from her Facebook page on the 11th of September 2024.
“My original name is Miriam Mzangaza I’m a Zimbabwean.
Born 50yrs ago in a small town called Kwekwe. After i completed my O’level i started working as a hairdresser. I managed to raise my money and i got a driver’s license.
Later i decided to cross the border to Botswana where i started working as a maid in Gaborone Phase 2.
Later i found a job in a farm in Booka Village where i was driving a T35 but everyday i was praying 
to get my job.
After some years i went back to Zimbabwe and i joined TAXI INDUSTRY as a driver. My dream job was being a TRUCK DRIVER.
I started moving around in companies but for that time as a lady to be in trucking industry it was not easy.
As a carpenter who is specialized with roofing and cupboard fittings i joined another construction company. After getting paid i went back to Botswana to a small town called Serowe were i started working as a hairdresser and i got another job at a private mortuary.
In Serowe i mate a lady Mma Dicks who treated me like her daughter and she gave me a job . Years working with her i decided to come to South Africa in Polokwane . I stayed for some months i got a job in Mozambique Tete at a company called Super Express. Because of malaria in Mozambique i decided to come back again to South Africa and I got a job as truck driver and I’m still in TRUCKING INDUSTRY.
If you have a driver’s license and can’t get a job as a driver, find something to do than to relax. Just imagine i worked as a MAID but I was having a driver’s license
Nicholas is my one and only son.
I’m a mother, mother in-law and also a grandmother .”