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Port of Durban Appoints Its First Female Deputy Harbour Master
Port of Durban Appoints Its First Female Deputy Harbour Master
Date: 2016-05-06
One of the first three women in Africa to obtain a Marine Pilot open licence in 2011, Pinky Zungu, has again made history with her appointment as Transnet National Ports Authority's first black female Deputy Harbour Master Nautical for the Port of Durban.
Having been selected by TNPA as a development candidate in 2001, Pinky is one of a growing number of women who have been promoted into senior positions through their hard work and dedication, who are changing the face of the male dominated maritime industry.
A week after obtaining her open licence in 2011, Pinky was in the spotlight when she piloted the MSC Chicago, at the time the largest container vessel to visit South Africa's shores. This was just after the entrance channel had been widened to make way for a new generation of container ships. She has since had seven years experience of guiding vessels of any size up to super tankers and mega container vessels into the Port of Durban, putting her in an ideal position to take on her new role.
As Deputy Harbour Master Nautical, one of her key responsibilities will be managing the marine pilots under her wing. These include a number of young Black women, as TNPA's efforts to provide opportunities for the historically disadvantaged, including women, continue to gain traction.
Being a marine pilot is a huge responsibility. You have to study the sounding charts daily and have an accurate mental picture of the sea-bed. You have to know what's underneath you including port depths, as the equipment on board the visiting ships doesn't always work, Pinky explained.
When you bring in a vessel you take over from the captain and all the decision making is up to you. It's you and the ship. You are on your own and it can be stressful as you are piloting someone else's vessel. While the new container ships and auto carriers are extremely responsive and the cruise liners even more so, some vessels (usually bulk carriers and tankers) are underpowered. You have to be prepared for any emergency including engine failure and other factors beyond your control, such as a sudden change in the weather.
Pinky is excited by the opportunity to bring change and to encourage and mentor newly graduated pilots. I have the technical hands-on experience to provide guidance and assurance. From this position I will also have an overall view of what is required to ensure safe operations, she added.
Born and raised in Lamontville, Pinkys original dream was to be an air pilot, but her parents could not afford the training. She signed up to do Maritime Studies at the Durban University of Technology when she realised that if she worked on ships she could go all over the world for free.
A mother of three, Pinky has achieved her career success with the support of her husband, a Senior Lifeguard at the eThekwini Municipality who grew up with her in Lamontville.
