Puma Energy Botswana is revolutionising the traditionally male dominated Energy sector by investing in and backing women engaged in the aviation business.
Their commitment to creating an inclusive environment dates back to 2010 when the company first planted its roots in the country, making a decisive choice to retain local employees at Botswana’s airport fueling operations. At the time, two of the country’s airports-Kasane and Francistown were being managed by a local woman-owned company, Aviation Fuel Services, and Puma Energy Botswana supported the contractual agreement by investing in the company through the introduction of modern aviation equipment and providing training to local staff to align their business with international aviation standards.
Edith Mwampole, the Owner and Managing Director of Aviation Fuel Services expressed her deep gratitude for the support her business has received through the partnership. She mentioned, “Puma Energy Botswana has been instrumental in assisting me over the past 14 years, from addressing daily issues such as breakdowns to ensuring we minimise customer delays, to providing training for me and my team on safety protocols and cutting-edge technology. Moreover, they have played a significant role in helping me achieve financial independence. I truly appreciate the partnership with Puma Energy.”
Another Motswana woman in aviation who has benefitted from Puma Energy Botswana’s support is Tebogo Ratsatsi, a heavy-duty truck driver who hopes to inspire other women and young girls to pursue careers in the aviation industry.
Inclusivity in the workplace is also an integral part of the company’s strategy. At a corporate level, a third of the employees are women, with over 50 percent of the management team being women.
Arnold Boitshwarelo, the Operations Manager at Puma Energy Botswana Aviation, emphasised the importance of citizen empowerment, particularly focusing on women and youth empowerment, a key priority for Puma Energy Botswana. He further commended the contributions of women in aviation and encouraged more women to explore opportunities in the aviation industry.
Puma Energy Botswana General Manager, Dominic Dhanah also commented that the gender-inclusive transformation of the aviation industry not only showcases the breaking of traditional gender roles but also emphasises the importance of diversity and equality in fostering innovation and excellence in aviation.
