From shuttle driver to operations manager

Although Shudley Ahmed had a lot of work experience, he never quite felt like he had a career – that is, until he came to the University of Cape Town (UCT) to work as a shuttle driver. It’s something of a fairy tale, he said. In just over 11 years, he’s gone from being a driver to being the operations manager of the university’s transport department.

Tell us about your first impressions and experience at UCT?

The years before coming to UCT were filled with many different jobs but it never felt like I had a career. All that changed when I came here. I didn’t have much experience driving big vehicles. The day of my interview I was extremely nervous and desperate for a job, but the manager put me at ease for my driving assessment, offering me valuable advice. He whispered to me: “Don’t stress. Take it easy and just watch out for the trees.”

I got a job as a shuttle driver. I started in 2013 and thoroughly loved it. Despite living in Cape Town, I never went out much, and while working here, I started appreciating the beauty around me and coming to campus each day. After a few years, however, I started to feel like I had more to offer and felt the burning desire for growth and development.

What was the turning point in your career at UCT?

During vacation times we had less work and so I started offering to help around the office doing anything from making photocopies, assisting with filing etc. One day, my supervisor asked me to work as a dispatcher in the control room. I was on my own that day, with the two-way radio, taking calls and helping drivers on the road by recording any issues or diverting services when there were any challenges experienced on the routes. I had picked up on what the dispatchers did through observations. So I thought: I can be calm. I can just do the work, solving these problems as they emerge.

“He told me I did a good job – a stellar job. That feedback was great and boosted my confidence.”

The next day, it turned out the supervisor had been listening to me over the two-way radio the whole time. He told me I did a good job – a stellar job. That feedback was great and boosted my confidence. I didn’t get promoted right away, but opportunities started to become available thereafter. After acting in different roles over a few months in and outside the office, vacancies became available, and I was promoted to fleet controller in mid of 2019. In mid 2022, the transport supervisor role was vacant, and I applied and was appointed on the second attempt. Two and half years later and I am now the operations manager.

What did you study?

From 2016 to 2018 I did my diploma in passenger transport management (University of Johannesburg). Then from 2022 to 2023 my advanced diploma in transportation management (University of Johannesburg), and now I’m finally doing my postgraduate diploma in transportation and logistics (University of South Africa). I studied during the day, in the extra few minutes I sometimes had on my route. Studying that way may not seem effective, but it’s like studying before sleep. When you go to bed, your subconscious is processing what you’ve learned. When you’re driving, for me it was the same. I found it a great way to learn – and it’s worked for me.

“I’ve gone from mixing cement to tiling to doing whatever I could just to earn some money. Now I’m here: I have to thank the Almighty, who has always been merciful to me.”

Sometimes I would ask students if they could help me with a problem, a question, or some research, because a lot of this was unfamiliar to me. And they always helped. They were so kind. We would sit in the shuttle somewhere on campus. It’s been a bit of a fairy tale, to be honest. You know, I’ve gone from mixing cement to tiling to doing whatever I could just to earn some money. Now I’m here: I have to thank the Almighty, who has always been merciful to me.

What’s next for you and UCT?

I would love to develop further and progress in my career. But mostly, I want to stimulate growth among my team and staff. They want to grow, definitely, but sometimes they just need that platform. I am trying to create an environment that makes it easier for them to take those next steps. Some have started to study after I’ve had these conversations with them, but I also want to reach out to those who feel they want to go from drivers to administrators or something else but feel held back. In my mind, it’s a question of bridging gaps, of using what’s available – your phone can act as your computer, for example. UCT has lots of facilities that are available too.

“Work shouldn’t be about getting money and going home. It should be about coming to do a job that you love.”

There have been many challenges along the way that have helped me develop. You won’t necessarily succeed on the first or second attempt but must keep on trying. I also want to change people’s mindsets. Work shouldn’t be about getting money and going home. It should be about coming to do a job that you love. I love the students; I love the passengers, and there is an opportunity for me to grow if I want to take it. That’s what I believe when I come here each day. That’s why I’m here.